Norman in Cleveland County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

1. The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens Marker, Side One

Inscription.

The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens. . This walk, which extends in front of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium from Jenkins Street to Michael F. Price Hall, and the gardens to the north side of it are named in honor of Roy T. Oliver, Jr. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Business in 1979. , Roy T. Oliver, Jr. is a native Oklahoman who was born in Holdenville in 1952. He attended Calvin High School in Calvin, Oklahoma. While growing up in rural Oklahoma, he loved the outdoors and was involved in competitive skeet shooting, winning junior and adult state titles at the age of 16. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. After being honorably discharged he used his GI Bill benefits to attend the University of Oklahoma. Roy Oliver's story is one which captures the Sooner Spirit. It is a story of hard work and creativity. While attending the university, he engaged in the buying and selling of rental property. He purchased his first property with $3,000, which he borrowed from a local bank as a down payment. By the time of his graduation, Roy Oliver had accumulated over 30 properties. , After graduating from college, he used these resources to help form the U.S. Rig and Equipment Company which pursued the purchase, sale, and brokerage of drilling rigs and equipment. During the depression in the oil industry following the 1982 collapse of oil prices, Mr. Oliver had the vision and boldness to accumulate more than 100 drilling rigs. He is involved in a wide range of businesses including oil and gas products, banking, specialty advertising, and real estate. , By 2005, Roy Oliver was the largest individual owner of office buildings in the state of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons – Ran and Ty. He has a zest for life and has been a fixed wing helicopter pilot for 25 years and an aerobatic aircraft pilot. He has been a loyal and generous alumnus of the University of Oklahoma and has made major gifts, especially in the areas of business education and athletics. In addition, he is committed to wildlife conservation and has maintained a large herd of 275 bison and 50 elk on his ranch near Norman.

This walk, which extends in front of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium from Jenkins Street to Michael F. Price Hall, and the gardens to the north side of it are named in honor of Roy T. Oliver, Jr. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Business in 1979.

Roy T. Oliver, Jr. is a native Oklahoman who was born in Holdenville in 1952. He attended Calvin High School in Calvin, Oklahoma. While growing up in rural Oklahoma, he loved the outdoors and was involved in competitive skeet shooting, winning junior and adult state titles at the age of 16. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. After being honorably discharged he used his GI Bill benefits to attend the University of Oklahoma. Roy Oliver's story is one which captures the Sooner Spirit. It is a story of hard work and creativity. While attending the university, he engaged in the buying and selling of rental property. He purchased his first property with $3,000, which he borrowed from a local bank as a down payment. By the time of his graduation, Roy Oliver had accumulated over 30 properties.

After graduating from college, he used these resources to help form the U.S. Rig and Equipment Company which pursued the purchase, sale, and brokerage of drilling rigs and equipment. During the depression in the oil industry

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following the 1982 collapse of oil prices, Mr. Oliver had the vision and boldness to accumulate more than 100 drilling rigs. He is involved in a wide range of businesses including oil and gas products, banking, specialty advertising, and real estate.

By 2005, Roy Oliver was the largest individual owner of office buildings in the state of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons – Ran and Ty. He has a zest for life and has been a fixed wing helicopter pilot for 25 years and an aerobatic aircraft pilot. He has been a loyal and generous alumnus of the University of Oklahoma and has made major gifts, especially in the areas of business education and athletics. In addition, he is committed to wildlife conservation and has maintained a large herd of 275 bison and 50 elk on his ranch near Norman.

Erected by The University of Oklahoma.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the University of Oklahoma series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1979.

Location. 35° 12.449′ N, 97° 26.498′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is on East Brooks Street west of Jenkins Avenue, on the right when traveling west. This section of Brooks Street is typically closed to vehicles.

The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

2. The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens Marker, Side Two

Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norman OK 73069, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Schusterman Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Brooks Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (within shouting distance of this marker); Lissa and Cy Wagner Student Academic Services Center (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens (about 500 feet away); Michael F. Price Hall (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Michael F. Price Hall (about 700 feet away); The Armory (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The OU Field House (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2025

3. The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.