Obituary of Leon Olive

Leon Olive, after 85 wonderful years with us, died Sunday, January 31, 2010. Left behind are family, friends, a legacy of goodwill, generosity, compassion, humor, and wit. Leon was predeceased by his daughter Laura Lin Olive Monnett. He is survived by his son Laurence Leon Olive and his wife Allison; his sister Laura Ruth Olive Newell; 6 grandchildren, Allee Olive, Austin Olive, Addis Olive, Elizabeth Monnett, Christopher Monnett, Emily Monnett and the mother of Leon?s children, Mary Olive Arnett. Leon was married to Sibille Olive for 32 years. He was fond of her children Susan Baumhauer, Sandi Byron, William Byron and his wife Christi and their children Anna Baumhauer, Felix Baumhaur, Beate Baumhauer, and Alex Byron. Leon was born on August 2, 1924, in Cottonwood, Alabama. After attending Dothan High School in Dothan, Alabama, he went on to graduate from the University of Alabama in 1948. Being a faithful contributor to the University of Alabama led to the establishment of the Leon Olive Endowed Discretionary Fund for the College of Education. He later moved to North Carolina to attend Law School at Duke University on a scholastic scholarship and graduated in 1954. While attending Duke Law School he served as Secretary and President. Before starting the practice of law he worked for MacFadden Publishing Company as a district sales manager and Allstate Insurance Company in sales management training. Leon was very active in the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and served as Secretary, President, and Head of the Speakers Bureau. Voted ?Outstanding man of the Year? twice, he was eventually bestowed a lifetime membership by the Chamber. Leon truly loved the practice of law and fighting for his clients. He was a pioneer in the personal injury practice of law in Charlotte. His humble upbringing led to a devout compassion for the plight of his clients and he argued with tremendous passion on their behalf. His courtroom techniques were entertaining, emotional, intimidating, and effective. Many of his peers in the legal profession learned the practice of personal injury law from him. During his career he worked with many law partners including his daughter and son. Recently he retired from The Olive Law Firm which he founded in 1957. His son continues to operate his firm representing individuals who have fond memories of his Dad. Leon served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder, and trustee at Third Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. He also taught classes at the Birmingham Business College in Birmingham, Alabama. Leon was quite active in the North Carolina Democratic Party and ran for a seat in the North Carolina House and Senate. He served in the Navy as a Seaman Second and was Chairman of a local Cub Scout Pack. On four occasions he won Boss of the Year by the Charlotte Legal Support Staff. Governor Jim Holshouser bestowed the honor of the Order of The Long Leaf Pine which is the highest civilian honor in North Carolina. Leon spent most of his time working, yet found time to travel the world. He also enjoyed weekends at his vacation home in Blowing Rock and trips to his farm in Cottonwood, Alabama. Devoted to family, he initiated many Olive Family reunions. One constant in his life was his commitment to all his grandchildren. Leon was always the ?life of the party? and never met a stranger. He was notorious for picking up the checks at restaurants all over Charlotte for those he did not know. He was a gifted story teller and loved a captive audience. He provided monthly financial assistance to friends, sisters, nieces, cousins, employees, and various churches back home in Alabama. The family is especially grateful for the care provided by his care givers, Martha Florez, Morena Lazo, Brenda Nash, Olga Rossy, Jadwiga Dzierbun and Denise Lawton. Serving as pallbearers will be Gordon Newell, Jr., Lamar Snell, James Hughes, Eulan Holland, Bobby Kirkland, J.C. Lewis. The family will receive friends 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Hankins and Whittington. A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Mount of Olive?s Memorial Garden in Cottonwood, Alabama. Leon had donated farm land to the City of Cottonwood to establish this cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins and Whittington, 1111 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leon Olive Endowed Discretionary Fund for the College of Education at the University of Alabama, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487.