Obituary - Rev Robert Thurman Olterman
Rev. Bobby Olterman, 82, Kingsport.
KINGSPORT - Robert Thurman Olterman, 82, a longtime servant of the Lord,
found the glory and healing he had sought for so many years on Friday,
(April 27, 2007). The man who loved life, family, friends, the Vols on
Saturday and worship on Sunday, was at home with loving family when he
passed.
Born Dec. 30, 1924, in Glade Spring, Va., to Arthur Greely and Rauzzie
Cooper Olterman, the family moved to Kingsport, where he met and married
Frances Dishner Olterman, his loving and devoted partner of 64 years.
He was the father of Robert Gene Olterman, now deceased. He was
also preceded in death by brothers, Bill, Howard, James (Shine), and
Paul; sisters, Estalene and Hilda Kabool; a brother-in-law, Joe Story; and
a sister-in-law, Dorothy Osborne Olterman.
Prior to the birth of his son, Robert Gene, Bobby entered the United States
Navy and was sent to war, where he served in the South Pacific Theatre until
the end of World War II. After combat duty, Bobby was shipped home to meet
his son who was nearly two years old. He also, upon returning, commenced a
career with Tennessee Eastman Company that would span 431/2 years and where
he would make many lifelong friends. However, Bobby's greatest contributions
came in the form of shaping lives and leading souls to Christ.
While working with other members of the Lynn Garden Evangelical Methodist
Church constructing the building that would be their house of worship, the
shy, soft spoken young man was called by the Lord to the ministry. He was
ordained in 1949 by the Evangelical Methodist Association. In the early
years of his ministry, Bobby served as an evangelist throughout Southwest
Va. and, because of his revivals, he and his friend, Ed Ray, founded the
Speers Ferry Evangelical Methodist Church, where he served as their minister
for seven years. He, thereafter, served as the pastor at Morrison
City Mission for five years. Following his ordination by the Union
Association for Free Will Baptists, Bobby was called to pastor the Eastern
Star Free Will Baptist Church where he served for 13 years. He was later
called to Midfield Free Will Baptist Church and served that congregation for
171/2 years.
During his long tenure of preaching the gospel, many were called and many
were saved. While pastoring churches, Bobby was active in the Minister's
Conference and was a leader in the Northern Quarterly Conference of the
Union Association, the church governing conference for this area. He served
numerous terms as Moderator of the Northern Quarterly Conference,
Chairman of the Northern Quarterly Licensing Council, and was representative
from the Northern Council to the Minister's Conference Ordaining Council. He
served on numerous committees during the Annual Association meetings and was
an influential leader serving on the committee empowered to write the
first Constitution and By-Laws for the Northern Quarterly Conference.
He was also a member of the local Masonic Lodge #688, where he received his
50-year pin and was active in Gideons International.
Bobby made many friends throughout the years and was asked to conduct many
revivals in Northeast Tenn. and Southwest Va. "Preacher Bobby" only ceased
his tireless service to the Lord he loved when the effects of Alzheimer's
began to appear in 1993, and he tendered his resignation to his
congregation. That was also the year he wrote this final tribute to his
beloved wife.
He is survived by his wife, Frances; daughter, Gwendolyn Wray and son-in-law
William T. Wray; daughter-in-law, Arlene Bolton Olterman; and six
grandchildren, Stephanie Dressler and husband Bill, Francine Howley and
husband Mike, Richelle Elkins and husband Mark, Robert Olterman and wife
Kristie, Katye Wray Allen and husband Chris, and William T. Wray III. He was
also the proud great-grandfather of eight: Evan and Kyle Dressler, Brennan,
Colin and Eion Howley, Tyler Elkins, and Nathan and Cameron Olterman. He
also leaves his sisters, Helen Long and husband Louis, and Ann McGhee and
husband Gerald; his brother, Harold (Belo) Olterman; his brothers-in-law,
Joe Kabool, Bill Dishner and wife Geraldine; his sisters-in-law, Dolly
Olterman, Betty Story, and Thelma Willis and husband T.M.; and several
nieces and nephews.
Olterman
Bobby's family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and love to
those many friends who sat with him from time to time and especially his
caregivers, Charlotte Owens, Kurt and Marsha Dibble, and Willie and Lizzy
Duffy.
The family will receive friends today from 12 to 2 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson
Funeral Homes, Kingsport with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m. at the
funeral home. Rev. Billy Gragg will officiate.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park with military rites by American
Legion Post #3/265.