Oliver Joseph Jefferson Jr.

OBITUARY

Oliver Joseph Jefferson Jr. ‘ Joe’  was born on February 10, 1954, from the union of Oliver Joseph Jefferson Sr. and Frankye Marie Willet Jefferson. Though he was the first born son, Joe was the middle child of 6 children.

He along with his siblings were raised and educated in Kansas City, MO., they attended St. Joseph Catholic School where he participated in church as an altar boy and joined the local Cub Scouts. He went on to junior high school at the De La Salle School, where he was noted as being a good student with high grades.  He also enjoyed playing local school sports, watching TV with the family, playing cards, board games, and spending time at the library and reading.

The year 1969 brought devastating trauma to the foundation of the Family due to the untimely death of his Beloved Mother Frankye at the age of 37. Frankye’s only Sister Mrs. Bobbie Maxine Campbell requested guardianship of her  6 nieces and nephews.  She generously offered them a new beginning in Los Angeles along with her 9 children and her Mother Lula Willet.

They traveled from the midwest to the west coast facing a new state, new schools, new friends, all requiring a great deal of fortitude coupled with deep physical, spiritual and mental adjustments.

For  Everyone but through their Faith in God, unwavering love for each other, the passage of time and hope for the future the Family prevailed, healed and survived the changes. Oliver was enrolled in Mount Vernon Middle School, Los Angeles High School, afterwards he attended LA Trade Technical College  to study business with an emphasis on fundamentals/management.

Oliver was still growing in his twenties reaching 6’6 and some people suggested to him to enter into the  sports  field and maybe follow in the footsteps of his Father, Oliver Sr. who played baseball with the  Famous Kansas City Monarchs or  his Uncle Philip Jefferson who played basketball with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters in the 50’s. But Joe  desired a more long term sustainable lifestyle and career. He was surrounded by professional men in his Family,  Uncle Howard Campbell, Tax Consultant; Uncle Philip Jefferson, Attorney, Godfather Robert(Bob) Dixon, Bail Bonds Agent. His Godfather stepped forward to become a guide and mentor to him in the direction that changed the course of his life. Starting as an intern in Mr. Dixon’s Bail bonds business led to 40 years of service in the Southern California area.  Twenty -five 25 years of Joe's independently owned and licensed Company ‘ HAVE BOND WILL TRAVEL’ by Oliver Jefferson.

Son, Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Uncle, Godson, Friend, Caretaker/Nurse, Sponsor, Humanitarian, Good Man, GOD graced him with a compassionate and warm heart, he loved and valued his Family most in this world, his willingness to help and heal others was the motivation for his career choices. Joe enjoyed watching sports every Sunday, always cheering for his team; the Kansas City Chiefs and hating the Lakers.  He enjoyed Family gatherings especially, Holidays and  he supported community cultural arts events.  Joe was very conscious, well- informed and vocal about global, national and local politics. He never met a stranger; everyone Joe came in contact with was touched by his wonderful smile and  personality.

No one is perfect,  many people stumble or fall occasionally in life. When Joe  fell , he got up , dusted himself off and resolved never to fall again. He chose to have his life story be a tale of resilience and triumph, a testament of  perseverance, Faith in GOD and the pursuit of Redemption by taking one day at a time. In his Renewed and Wiser frame of mind Joe used his experiences and prior struggles to guide, uplift and teach others to heal themselves.

He reorganized and updated his Bail bonds business.  Joe  didn't have any children so  he took the responsibility of being the caretaker for his younger brother Barry Martin when  he developed major health problems. Joe was a role model , sponsor and consultant to many people both in Los Angeles and Kansas City.   He was an advocate and leader/ spokesperson among the tenants of the apartment complex he's lived in over 30 years. He was respected, admired and loved by a  diverse range of people in the Community.

Oliver  is preceded in death by his parents Oliver Joseph Jefferson Sr. and Frankye Marie Willet Jefferson, siblings: Dana Martin, and Barry Martin,  Beloved Grandmother Lula Mae Williet and Aunt Bobbie Maxine Campbell.   Nephew : Akinlabi Coujoe Elttab Minter, Great niece Sativa Jefferson and Great nephew Hakeem Jefferson. Cousins: James Killingsworth, Nailah Buford,  Steven Campbell, Carmen Campbell, and Kevin Campbell

He leaves to cherish and Love his Memory: Sisters Nzingha Camara, Maridadi Sanders, Rhonda J. Minter,   Cousins: Renee Campbell, Malaika(Caleb) Manasseh, Cynthia Kemp, Frankye Campbell, Robert (Jacque)Campbell , Michael Jefferson, Nina Griffin, Roger Jefferson

Nieces: Maanami, Yasmeen,  Aminata, Mykalah(Robert), Mecca and Basitta

Nephews: Marcus, Lumumba,  Seku, Hassan, Kamau, Khary,

A host of  Grand and Great Grand Nieces & Grandnephews(see insert)

Lifelong friends from Kansas City, MO  The Mitchell, White, Frazier Family

And many others that were important to him The Glenn Family, The Pace Family, Page Family and many other extended family and Friends