Oliver Oliphant

Oliver Tom Oliphant Tommy, 88 of Sabinal, Texas passed away on Tues, May 20, 2014.
Tommy was born on March 2, 1926 in Matador, Texas, to the late Boone Ruth English Oliphant.
He grew up in Uvalde, and at 14 he started galloping racehorses for Mr. E.F. Woodward at the Valdina Farms near Utopia.
During that time he met and married the late Maurine Oliphant on Sept 25, 1943. They were married 68 loving years.
At 18 he joined the Marine Corp during WWII, serving in the Pacific Islands where on Feb 22, 1945, he was wounded on Iwo Jima.
He returned home and started training thoroughbred racehorses in Del Rio, Texas and in many other states including the Fairgrounds in New Orleans where he was the youngest licensed trainer on the track at that time.
In 1959 along with Dr. Dan Saunders they built Sunny Clime Farms where he eventually retired, as a horse trainer, breeder and owner. He had a blessed wonderful career spanning over 60 years. He received many awards including being inducted to the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
He was also a steadfast worker in the Sabinal United Methodist Church in Sabinal.
He loved his family, friends, church and of course his horse racing.

He is survived by one daughter, Darlene Lou Woodward and husband, Darrel of Spring Branch, TX soninlaw, Louis Azopardi of Kyle, TX grandchildren, Tommy Azopardi and wife, Molly Robert Wayne Matthews Rene Hedemann and husband, Keith and Jennifer Garcia and husband, John nine greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maurine son, Woody Wayne and daughter, Tommie Lee Azopardi, along with six brothers and one sister.

Visitation will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary in Uvalde. The family will greet visitors from 5:007:00 pm that evening. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 2:00 PM at RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary in Uvalde with burial to follow in Sabinal Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Louis Azopardi, Jarrod Azopardi, Kade Hedemann, Danny Pish, Eddie Mathis, and George Driskill.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Thursday, May 22, 2014
8:00 AM

Service

Funeral Service

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Friday, May 23, 2014
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Sabinal Cemetery
Hwy 90 East
Sabinal, TX  78881