James “J.T.” Thomas Oliver
James “J.T.” Thomas Oliver, 78, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away at his home on June 17, 2025.
J.T. was born on Aug. 26, 1946, in Chillocothe, Mo., to James Thomas Oliver and Margaret James Oliver.
J.T. graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration.
After graduation, J.T. joined the Army where he served as a first lieutenant. Upon leaving the military, he joined the ExxonMobil Corporation, where he enjoyed a 30-year career. He began his career as an Operations Supervisor at ExxonMobil’s refinery in Baytown, Texas. His career took him through various marketing and sales roles, as well as oil and gas trading.
J.T. lived in Houston several times, as well as St. Louis, Chicago, Northern Virginia and Atlanta. While in Atlanta, J.T. met Juanita Collake. Juanita and J.T. were married for 40 years.
Upon retirement, Juanita and J.T. moved to Chattanooga and built their dream home high up on a ridge outside of Ooltewah, where they lived the remainder of their lives.
J.T. was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, and a lifelong Mizzou football and basketball fan. He was a golfer, a fly fisherman, a world traveler and a collector of fine wine.
J.T. was one of a kind. He could tell a story like no other. He possessed a sharp wit and incredible sense of humor, generous spirit, and the ability to light up a room whenever he entered it.
J.T. was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Juanita Oliver.
He is survived by his cousins, Susan Stegman, and her sons Zach and Evan Stegman, Sandie (Jon) Lloyd, and their son, Ian Lloyd, Jenny Waite, and her daughter, Mary Klein, and Judy (Ron) Vroom, and their daughter, Katie Vroom, as well as Juanita’s sisters, Faye Kelley, Jo Frost, and Alice Collins, and brother Robert Collake, Jr.
A visitation will be held on Monday, June 23, at Christ United Methodist Church, from11:30 a.m. until12:30 p.m. with service beginning at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow the service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army of Chattanooga.
Condolences may be shared at www.heritagechattanoogacom
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.