Valdosta, GA - Since John Cantey Oliver, III, was born on December 7, 1975, he's been known as "Jackie." His parents, John C. "Jack" Oliver, Jr. and Ellen Mackey Oliver Dewar, knew they held someone special in their arms.

With broken hearts, we report that Jackie passed away suddenly in Valdosta on June 1, 2026, leaving innumerable family members and friends devastated.

Jackie grew up in Valdosta, excelled as a baseball player in the YMCA middle-school league, graduated from Valdosta High School in 1995, attended Valdosta State University, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 until 2003. Following his honorable discharge, he married (2003-2023) Mary Mitchell of Bucks County, PA, and pursued a career in nursing.

Jackie is survived by his parents; his brother, Maxwell Oliver (Rumie) of Atlanta; uncles, Mac (Susan) Mackey and William (Pam) Mackey of Valdosta; cousins, Rev. Dr. Billy Oliver (Patty) of Macon; Landon (Charles) Nowlin of Lynchburg, VA; Rob (Ann) Harris of Lynchburg; Becky (Charles) Kown of Brentwood, TN; Lee Mackey (Amy) and Elizabeth (Jonathan) Burns of Valdosta; Mary Catherine Mackey of Atlanta; step-father, Evan Miller of Valdosta; step-mother, Cheryl Oliver of Lake Park.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John C. and Edith Oliver, and Berkley and Dorothy Mackey, all of Valdosta.

With his charismatic personality, magnetic smile, astute intellect and often confounding wit, Jackie saw most rules as things to be challenged. The friends of his youth were almost like "groupies." Their loyalty is enduring, and their memories evoke laughter and eye-rolling - we're hoping they'll share these at a Celebration of Life event (date to be announced). Long-time friend Andy Stone calls Jackie, "the funniest man I have ever known ... that is the Jackie I know and love."

An avid reader and movie buff, Jackie appreciated the mental acuity of Lt. Columbo (he once sent Jack a complete DVD anthology), and he and Maxwell spoke an inexplicable language understood only by brothers. He also freely expressed his faith in Christ, and it was evident that he had a unique, meaningful relationship with his heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.

Jackie's spirit will live on to inspire us to embrace life with humor, love and grace, a dose of adventure and curiosity, and a lot of mercy.

Plans for a Celebration of Jackie's Life are in the works, and details will be published soon.