Jimmy Ray Oliver

Jimmy Ray Oliver, age 88, of Green Valley, Arizona left this world on September 4, 2026. He was born June 19, 1938 in Clovis, New Mexico to Frank Lee and Frances (Steinbock) Oliver.

Although born in New Mexico, Jimmy was raised right across the New Mexico/Texas line in Lazbuddie, Texas. He was an accomplished three sport athlete at Lazbuddie High School where he lettered in football (6 man), basketball and baseball. He was recruited by Coach Presley Askew to play basketball and baseball at New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

While attending NMSU, Jimmy met the love of his life, Christine (Kitti) King. Jimmy and Kitti were married June 27, 1959 and would spend the next 67 years building their family and life together. After graduation from NMSU in 1963, Jimmy was hired as a teacher and coach at Court Junior High School. He received his Masters in Education from NMSU in 1967 and, in 1968, was hired as a teacher and head boys basketball coach at Mayfield High School. He would also become the golf coach for both the boys and girls teams. He was a dedicated

teacher and coach. During his tenure, the 1979 boys basketball team were the 4A state runners- up and both the boys and girls golf teams won state championships. In 1987, he was selected Coach of the Year by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association’s Board of Directors. That same year, he was honored as a finalist for the National High School Coach of the Year representing Region 8.

In 1988, Jimmy retired from teaching and coaching and he and Kitti moved to Sasabe, Arizona to help Kitti’s mother, Celia King, manage the King family ranch. At the time, he was also working as a crop insurance adjuster with the Farm Bureau and Rain and Hail insurance companies, a job he proudly retained with Rain and Hail Insurance until the time of his death. The family sold the ranch in 2002 and Jimmy and Kitti, moved to Green Valley where he could finally pursue one of his great passions - golf. He spent many happy hours on golf courses around the country. He also loved going to casinos, playing poker with friends and horse racing.

Jimmy made friends wherever he went, and most remained throughout his life. His college roommates and teammates, fellow coaches and teachers, former athletes and students, golf and poker buddies, farmers, ranchers and co-workers as well as his care-givers, many would get a call from him every now and then just to check on them and see how they were doing. He was a proud Aggie alumni. But, he was most proud of his grandchildren and was a very devoted Granddaddy; keeping up with their sports, activities and lives. Always the teacher and coach, grades were just as important as athletics and he helped guide his grandkids to be the best they could be in everything they did.

Jimmy is survived by his wife Kitti, daughter Bobbye Hicks (Brook) of Phoenix, AZ, son Jimmy Oliver, of Colorado Springs, CO, brother Mike Oliver of Cleburne, TX and four grandchildren, Austin Hicks, Derek Hicks, Joshua Oliver and Elise Oliver as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janice Moore.

A mass celebrating his life will be said on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local food bank or animal rescue.