August 23, 2021
August 23, 2021
Just got back from a camping trip, I thought about our camping trips, enjoyed it very much, I never forget!
This memorial website was created in memory of Ted Oliver. May his memory burn bright in the heart of all the lives he touched, and his legacy live on for future generations. We are so blessed and grateful to have been a part of his earthly existence.
Tributes
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August 23, 2020
August 23, 2020
Every time my wife and I look at our wonderful folk art examples obtained from Ted, we smile. We remember the wonderful times discussing the artists. We remember the wonderful character of this special man. A real pleasure to have known him.
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
Hi Ted, so very sorry we cant meet, planning on visiting Blairsville this spring. Have great memories of you, never forget!
August 23, 2015
August 23, 2015
I cannot believe it has been 2 yrs. but I know his family can. I loved ted and I hope him and Danny are having a great time on those Golden Shore. I am sending Lots of Love to all the family today. I love all the Oliver boys. We can only remember the great man Ted was and know that we will see him again. May God grant the family a nice day!!!
August 23, 2015
August 23, 2015
To Ann: there are no words to express how we miss Teddy, he was such a great Person in all ways. Even far away in Switzerland, he is always present in our hearts
You are always in our thoughts and prayers!
You are always in our thoughts and prayers!
August 23, 2015
August 23, 2015
Dear Ann,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ted was such a wonderful person. As an artist, I have been blessed because of the support that he gave to me. He was my friend.
Lisa Cain
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ted was such a wonderful person. As an artist, I have been blessed because of the support that he gave to me. He was my friend.
Lisa Cain
November 7, 2014
November 7, 2014
I have written on here but would like to again. I started school with Ted at Epworth Elementary and went all through school with him. We visited Ted and his family when we were kids. They were such a nice family and my brother-in-law Danny Huff was best friends with Ted. So I saw him a lot as he got older. I loved Ted from 1st grade up! I know his family misses him so much! My prayers are with all the family!! Lots of love to all of you!
November 5, 2014
November 5, 2014
Mr. Oliver was my art teacher at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia from 1999 to 2002. He taught me the basics of aesthetics and composition. He also shared with me his passion for self-taught and folk art from which I learned that one could find art in the most unlikely of places. This in turn gave me the confidence to find art within myself.
Twelve years later I live with art every day as an artist in New York City, and I can say without hesitation that without Mr. Oliver's mentorship and encouragement that I would not be the person I am today. He continues to be an inspiration to me.
One question we grapple with as artists is whether or not art can change the world.I don't know if it can affect change on a political level, but I do know that art has changed my world for the better. And I owe so much of that to the example of Mr. Oliver.
Twelve years later I live with art every day as an artist in New York City, and I can say without hesitation that without Mr. Oliver's mentorship and encouragement that I would not be the person I am today. He continues to be an inspiration to me.
One question we grapple with as artists is whether or not art can change the world.I don't know if it can affect change on a political level, but I do know that art has changed my world for the better. And I owe so much of that to the example of Mr. Oliver.
September 17, 2013
September 17, 2013
Our Lord did not cite “gentle” in the Beatitudes, but describing Ted, He might have said, “Blessed are the Gentle”. Remembering Ted, that descriptor comes first. He will always be to us, a big, kind, caring and gentle man; a friend with whom we shared a passion for art and love for gifted self taught artists we supported in common. It is more than we will miss him, a part of us is gone.
September 12, 2013
September 12, 2013
Ann, I am so sorry to hear of Ted's passing. It was my privilege to have known Ted, as a friend and as his secretary during his GAEA presidential tenure. You are in my prayers.
Love you. Rosanne
Love you. Rosanne
September 10, 2013
September 10, 2013
I will miss Mr. Ted Oliver. He was my friend and one of the first art collectors to validate my art. I will never forget the first article that I read where he mentioned my art. I was so proud and happy. He was a friend who constantly provided encouragement. He was kind, brave and gentle. I can still feel his presence. Ann stay strong because Ted loved you dearly and he will be with you forever.
September 7, 2013
September 7, 2013
Ann, it almost broke our heart to hear about Teddy's passing. As you know, he's always been a very important and close person to me and my family since my exchange student year in Blairsville back in 1980 and all the years that followed. We'll always remember his great character and his sense of humor. Our get-togethers were always full of joy and happiness. We will miss him.
September 5, 2013
September 5, 2013
Dear Ann, Our hearts are broken at the loss of Ted. He was a lion-hearted man,who did more to help artists, both established and emerging, than any other person we know. His kind, gentle, joyful and encouraging nature were the marks of his true character. The folk art world has suffered a great loss. "Lord love you" St. Ted. We will miss you.
August 29, 2013
August 29, 2013
Ann, it was heart breaking to hear of Ted's passing. He was a great friend, we cherished every visit. He was a gentle and caring person. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God sustain you in the days & nights ahead. If you need to talk, we are only a phone call away.
August 28, 2013
August 28, 2013
Ted's passing has left a big hole in our hearts. Knowing him was a true gift in our lives. He was a brave man with great character and gentle heart. His love of his family and art were second to none and he will live on in our memories.
August 25, 2013
August 25, 2013
Ann, Mary and grieve with you in Ted's passing. He was a giant in the arts community and a renowned educator, collector, folk art historian, and friend. We spent many interesting years working together on the GAEA board. His tenure as president was exceptional. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
August 23, 2021
August 23, 2021
Just got back from a camping trip, I thought about our camping trips, enjoyed it very much, I never forget!
August 23, 2020
August 23, 2020
Every time my wife and I look at our wonderful folk art examples obtained from Ted, we smile. We remember the wonderful times discussing the artists. We remember the wonderful character of this special man. A real pleasure to have known him.
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
Hi Ted, so very sorry we cant meet, planning on visiting Blairsville this spring. Have great memories of you, never forget!
Gallery
New Year' Eve Party in our cabin in Les Crosets, Swiss Alps, Judith, Chris and Ted
Bicycle Tour on Jekyll Island with Aude and Judith
Ted and Ann on the Niesen, Swiss Alps
On the way back from the Eugene's in Cowpens
Blairsville GA, Exchange Students in 1979/80
Ted 1984
Ted 1984
Ted '84
Ted as Educator
Recent stories
if we are created equal, why are we different heights
December 5, 2013
by Jan Stuebbe
Ted's personality worked on many different levels. At Union County High he was, on one hand, the respected art educator who exuded authority over his subject and was able to motivate students in a way other teachers weren't able to. But then, given the right setting he could turn into a giggling juvenile, cracking silly jokes and singing "Walk like a man" by Frankie Valli in a high pitched voice before breaking into hysterical laughter.
He would tell me how "Time of the Season" by the Zombies reminded him of his Senior Trip in High School and how he got out of the draft.
On one of our trips out West, we listened to Country stations making fun of the whining and sameness of the "you broke my heart" lyrics.
As the above line "created equal" show, he had a deep wit, that i now assume, few people in Union County High got. And that's why he was "only" the respected art educator to most of them.
Forver missed
Blairsville '84/'85
September 1, 2013
by Jan Stuebbe
Ted was my teacher and my friend!
I came to the US as an innocent 15 year old exchange student, and Ted took me and Philipp (the other German that year) under his wings.
Despite our age difference we found true kinship and Ted must have been the biggest part of me surviving the experience of Blairsville and Union County High :)
We went camping on Cumberland Island, took road trips to Colorado and Utah, we watched countless movies and laughed about the silliest things like little children.
There was a lot of longing in Ted, and I am so glad he finally found his family with you, Ann.
Ted's friendship helped me during a difficult time, and I know that I, that my life, wouldn't be the same, had I not met him.
My thoughts are with you, and with him.
He will forever be missed
Jan