Claude C. Olvera's Obituary
Claude C. Olvera was born on January 29, 1927, in Brackettville, Texas, he died peacefully May 2, 2015, in Arlington, Texas, in the company of his three children, Mary Alice Ayers and James M. Olvera, both of Dallas, Texas, and Julia B. Olvera, of Weilerbach, Germany. He is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Carol M. Olvera, and was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanne W. Olvera. Claude possessed an unusual combination of keen intellect, wonderful wit, and dogged determination, qualities which served him well in his career in forensic accounting, first as CPA for the Oklahoma Securities Commission and then as chief CPA for the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Southwest Region, in Fort Worth, retiring in 1991. He was honored by the Governor as “Outstanding Oklahoman” for his accomplishments with the Oklahoma Securities Commission. This was just one of many accolades for his work, but his humility precluded his talking about them. He did love discussing the work itself, though, which forever fascinated him. Everyone who knew him knew of his family and friends, as well. Claude stayed in touch with extended family, former colleagues, and long-time friends; he was quick to write a note or make a call to those he cared for, and he thought of them often, sharing news with all. His calls were comforting, legendarily brief, and always with an uncanny sense of timing. Just when the day seemed to be going south, there he would be, just calling to tell a joke or see how you were doing. A few moments later, always after a shared laugh, he’d be gone, and the day would be a little brighter — just like that. Valedictorian of his high school class, Claude qualified for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) in 1944 and attended the University of Oklahoma on a full scholarship, studying to become an engineer. World War II came to a close, bringing with it an end to the program, sending him and his classmates overseas as enlisted men. Claude served on active duty in Europe for two years, before returning to OU, where he then studied accounting. Claude and his fellow ASTP scholars have remained in contact for seventy years and still share tight bonds. He married Jeanne Whorton on January, 29, 1949, his twenty-second birthday, having only known her since they met at a dance the previous October. Obviously she was the one, as they remained together until her death 48 hears later. He met his second wife Carol at a dance, too, in 1999. They married the next year, and were together until the end. Claude was a kind and gentle man of true integrity, who cared deeply for his family, always putting them first. He will have a permanent place in the hearts of those who knew him, and his many relatives and friends all share the loss. Among them are his brother Richard Olvera, of Brackettville, Texas, his beloved grandchildren, Katherine and Caroline Olvera, both of Dallas, as well as too many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to mention. A memorial mass for Claude Olvera will be held Friday, May 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM, at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1200 S. Davis Dr., Arlington, Texas. A ought lunch will follow at the St. Maria Center. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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