It is with great sadness that family and friends must say our final farewell to Oliver Shearer, (Retired Captain, USN), who departed this world on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.  He was 91 years old.

Oliver was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (class of '54), a Cold War Veteran, an officer, a 'destroyerman', submariner, submarine commanding officer, and "Pentagon desk driver" in the Navy from 1954-1982.  He was the second Raymond boy to go to the Naval Academy – the first being Bernard Peyton who graduated in 1910.

Oliver grew up with his parents, Oliver Vassar Shearer and Willie Hawkins Shearer, on what is now Dupree Street, in a brick house next door to the Old Gibbs-Von Seuter/Shearer home. His deep family Raymond roots date back to 1835.

Oliver and his wife, Mary Dee were married in the First Baptist Church in Jackson Mississippi following his graduation from the Naval Academy. His 28-year Naval career included Executive Officer (XO) of the submarine USS Trigger in Charleston, SC, Command of the submarine USS Runner (diesel submarine), and several follow-on tours in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the Pentagon.

He and Mary Dee lived in Northern Virginia for many years after he retired from the Navy, where he then worked for ASC (American Systems Corporation).  They moved back to Raymond for their golden years in 2008, where Oliver served as a Ruling Elder at the Raymond Presbyterian Church alongside Bob Culpepper, who died several years ago.  Oliver always called Raymond 'home', despite all the many places the Navy took him and his family throughout his 28 year career and he enjoyed being active in the community over the past decade and a half.

As a tribute to the wonderful time he had growing up here and the pleasant memories of his loving family and community, Oliver wrote a book after returning back to Raymond titled "My Memories of Raymond, Mississippi: Growing Up in the 1930s and 40s" that was greatly appreciated by both family and friends who grew up with him.

In addition to Mary Dee, family members include his three children: Oliver Vassar Shearer III (deceased) and his wife Shelley (also deceased) and their two children Elizabeth and Michael; Susan Dietrich (husband King H. Dietrich and their three children, Gregg (wife Stephanie), Katie (husband Sam Greenblatt) and Drew (deceased); and Clifford Raymond Shearer (wife Charlene, and their four children: Buddy, Luke, Charlie and Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Oliver's name to Raymond Presbyterian Church.