David Oldham obituary: David Oldham's Obituary, Dove Topeka
In Memory Of
David Ray Oldham
1938 - 2023
In Memory Of
David Ray Oldham
1938 - 2023
We celebrate the life of David Ray Oldham, who died on December 27, 2023 at the age of 85 in Topeka, Kansas.
He was born in Topeka, Kansas, to David Greene Oldham and Dorothea Walters Oldham. He was educated in Topeka's Highland Park schools graduating in 1956 from Highland Park High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics, magna cum laude, from Washburn University of Topeka in 1960.
At Washburn University he met the love of his life, Charlotte Stollenwerck Oldham, and married her the day before they both graduated in May 1960. While at Washburn, he was honored with being selected for Who’s Who, Tau Delta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, and Arnold Air Society. He was a member of Alpha Delta Fraternity, Wesley Foundation, and ROTC.
He served three years of active duty as a meteorology officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and Topsham, Maine, where he forecast weather for the Air Defense Command.
Then he studied computer science at the graduate level at Stanford University. That led to his lifelong career with Shell Oil Company, where he worked in Menlo Park, California, and Houston, Texas. He also served forty years on the Board of Directors of the People's Trust Federal Credit Union.
A two-year work assignment in London, England, was a wonderful experience for the whole family. The children's schooling there was excellent, and the family visited many cities and countries in Great Britain and Europe.
Church was an important part of his life. Memorial Drive United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas, was his church home for 46 years. David joyfully served on several boards, took advantage of many opportunities for life-enhancing courses and served as treasurer of the Friendship adult Sunday School class for many years.
After he retired from Shell Oil, he and his wife enjoyed volunteering at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon for three summers, where he utilized his computer skills.
After moving to Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas, in 2016, he joined Countryside United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Life 101 Sunday School class.
David faithfully contributed in service and financially to Washburn University through his alumni years. He served on the Washburn Alumni Board of Directors for a term, and he and Charlotte endowed a scholarship at Washburn. He was a member of the Bell Tower Society.
David is survived by his loving family: his wife Charlotte of 63 years; their daughter Linda Oldham Burns and son-in-law John Burns of Topeka, Kansas; and son Jeffrey D. Oldham of San Jose, California. He is also survived by his grandson, Tyler Burns of Topeka, Kansas, and brother, Paul R. Oldham of Topeka.
Living his Christian faith by example and word with abundant joy and trust in God, David was known for his faithfulness and friendly smile. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka, on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11am. Visitation will be at Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 Wanamaker Rd., Topeka on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm. Memorials may be sent to the Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, Kansas 66611. He will be interred at West Lawn Memorial Gardens in Topeka, Kansas, the city of his birth and childhood.
To leave a special message for the family, please select the Share Memories option listed above.
He was born in Topeka, Kansas, to David Greene Oldham and Dorothea Walters Oldham. He was educated in Topeka's Highland Park schools graduating in 1956 from Highland Park High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics, magna cum laude, from Washburn University of Topeka in 1960.
At Washburn University he met the love of his life, Charlotte Stollenwerck Oldham, and married her the day before they both graduated in May 1960. While at Washburn, he was honored with being selected for Who’s Who, Tau Delta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, and Arnold Air Society. He was a member of Alpha Delta Fraternity, Wesley Foundation, and ROTC.
He served three years of active duty as a meteorology officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and Topsham, Maine, where he forecast weather for the Air Defense Command.
Then he studied computer science at the graduate level at Stanford University. That led to his lifelong career with Shell Oil Company, where he worked in Menlo Park, California, and Houston, Texas. He also served forty years on the Board of Directors of the People's Trust Federal Credit Union.
A two-year work assignment in London, England, was a wonderful experience for the whole family. The children's schooling there was excellent, and the family visited many cities and countries in Great Britain and Europe.
Church was an important part of his life. Memorial Drive United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas, was his church home for 46 years. David joyfully served on several boards, took advantage of many opportunities for life-enhancing courses and served as treasurer of the Friendship adult Sunday School class for many years.
After he retired from Shell Oil, he and his wife enjoyed volunteering at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon for three summers, where he utilized his computer skills.
After moving to Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas, in 2016, he joined Countryside United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Life 101 Sunday School class.
David faithfully contributed in service and financially to Washburn University through his alumni years. He served on the Washburn Alumni Board of Directors for a term, and he and Charlotte endowed a scholarship at Washburn. He was a member of the Bell Tower Society.
David is survived by his loving family: his wife Charlotte of 63 years; their daughter Linda Oldham Burns and son-in-law John Burns of Topeka, Kansas; and son Jeffrey D. Oldham of San Jose, California. He is also survived by his grandson, Tyler Burns of Topeka, Kansas, and brother, Paul R. Oldham of Topeka.
Living his Christian faith by example and word with abundant joy and trust in God, David was known for his faithfulness and friendly smile. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka, on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11am. Visitation will be at Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 Wanamaker Rd., Topeka on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm. Memorials may be sent to the Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, Kansas 66611. He will be interred at West Lawn Memorial Gardens in Topeka, Kansas, the city of his birth and childhood.
To leave a special message for the family, please select the Share Memories option listed above.
We celebrate the life of David Ray Oldham, who died on December 27, 2023 at the age of 85 in Topeka, Kansas.
He was born in Topeka, Kansas, to David Greene Oldham and Dorothea Walters Oldham. He was educated in Topeka's Highland Park schools graduating in 1956 from Highland Park High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics, magna cum laude, from Washburn University of Topeka in 1960.
At Washburn University he met the love of his life, Charlotte Stollenwerck Oldham, and married her the day before they both graduated in May 1960. While at Washburn, he was honored with being selected for Who’s Who, Tau Delta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, and Arnold Air Society. He was a member of Alpha Delta Fraternity, Wesley Foundation, and ROTC.
He served three years of active duty as a meteorology officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and Topsham, Maine, where he forecast weather for the Air Defense Command.
Then he studied computer science at the graduate level at Stanford University. That led to his lifelong career with Shell Oil Company, where he worked in Menlo Park, California, and Houston, Texas. He also served forty years on the Board of Directors of the People's Trust Federal Credit Union.
A two-year work assignment in London, England, was a wonderful experience for the whole family. The children's schooling there was excellent, and the family visited many cities and countries in Great Britain and Europe.
Church was an important part of his life. Memorial Drive United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas, was his church home for 46 years. David joyfully served on several boards, took advantage of many opportunities for life-enhancing courses and served as treasurer of the Friendship adult Sunday School class for many years.
After he retired from Shell Oil, he and his wife enjoyed volunteering at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon for three summers, where he utilized his computer skills.
After moving to Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas, in 2016, he joined Countryside United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Life 101 Sunday School class.
David faithfully contributed in service and financially to Washburn University through his alumni years. He served on the Washburn Alumni Board of Directors for a term, and he and Charlotte endowed a scholarship at Washburn. He was a member of the Bell Tower Society.
David is survived by his loving family: his wife Charlotte of 63 years; their daughter Linda Oldham Burns and son-in-law John Burns of Topeka, Kansas; and son Jeffrey D. Oldham of San Jose, California. He is also survived by his grandson, Tyler Burns of Topeka, Kansas, and brother, Paul R. Oldham of Topeka.
Living his Christian faith by example and word with abundant joy and trust in God, David was known for his faithfulness and friendly smile. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka, on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11am. Visitation will be at Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 Wanamaker Rd., Topeka on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm. Memorials may be sent to the Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, Kansas 66611. He will be interred at West Lawn Memorial Gardens in Topeka, Kansas, the city of his birth and childhood.
To leave a special message for the family, please select the Share Memories option listed above.
He was born in Topeka, Kansas, to David Greene Oldham and Dorothea Walters Oldham. He was educated in Topeka's Highland Park schools graduating in 1956 from Highland Park High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics, magna cum laude, from Washburn University of Topeka in 1960.
At Washburn University he met the love of his life, Charlotte Stollenwerck Oldham, and married her the day before they both graduated in May 1960. While at Washburn, he was honored with being selected for Who’s Who, Tau Delta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, and Arnold Air Society. He was a member of Alpha Delta Fraternity, Wesley Foundation, and ROTC.
He served three years of active duty as a meteorology officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and Topsham, Maine, where he forecast weather for the Air Defense Command.
Then he studied computer science at the graduate level at Stanford University. That led to his lifelong career with Shell Oil Company, where he worked in Menlo Park, California, and Houston, Texas. He also served forty years on the Board of Directors of the People's Trust Federal Credit Union.
A two-year work assignment in London, England, was a wonderful experience for the whole family. The children's schooling there was excellent, and the family visited many cities and countries in Great Britain and Europe.
Church was an important part of his life. Memorial Drive United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas, was his church home for 46 years. David joyfully served on several boards, took advantage of many opportunities for life-enhancing courses and served as treasurer of the Friendship adult Sunday School class for many years.
After he retired from Shell Oil, he and his wife enjoyed volunteering at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon for three summers, where he utilized his computer skills.
After moving to Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas, in 2016, he joined Countryside United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Life 101 Sunday School class.
David faithfully contributed in service and financially to Washburn University through his alumni years. He served on the Washburn Alumni Board of Directors for a term, and he and Charlotte endowed a scholarship at Washburn. He was a member of the Bell Tower Society.
David is survived by his loving family: his wife Charlotte of 63 years; their daughter Linda Oldham Burns and son-in-law John Burns of Topeka, Kansas; and son Jeffrey D. Oldham of San Jose, California. He is also survived by his grandson, Tyler Burns of Topeka, Kansas, and brother, Paul R. Oldham of Topeka.
Living his Christian faith by example and word with abundant joy and trust in God, David was known for his faithfulness and friendly smile. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka, on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11am. Visitation will be at Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 Wanamaker Rd., Topeka on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm. Memorials may be sent to the Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, Kansas 66611. He will be interred at West Lawn Memorial Gardens in Topeka, Kansas, the city of his birth and childhood.
To leave a special message for the family, please select the Share Memories option listed above.
Services & Gatherings
Visitation
Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
3700 SW Wanamaker Rd
Topeka, KS 66610
Directions & Map
Service
Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:00am
Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, KS 66611
Interment
West Lawn Memorial Gardens
Topeka, Kansas
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family