Rev. Robert Thurman Olterman

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5


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 December 30, 1924, in Glade Spring, Virginia, to Arthur Greely and Rauzzie Cooper Olterman, the family moved to Kingsport, Tennessee, 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 43 ½ 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 Virginia 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 17½ 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 pen and was active in Gideons International.

Bobby made many friends throughout the years and was asked to conduct many revivals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. ?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.

The day you became my wife
I promised to love you all my life;
Fifty-two years since we wed
I remember so well the vows we said;
Since you are mine and I am thine
I again ask you to be my Valentine.



He is survived by his wife, Frances; daughter, Gwendolyn Wray and son-in-law, William T. Wray Jr.; 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.

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 Sunday from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport with funeral services to follow at 2:00 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.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P. O. Box 571, Kingsport, TN 37662.