Oliver L. Mahone

Oliver L. Mahone “Orville”, affectionately known to many as "PaPa," "Daddy," "Orville," "Oli," and "M.O.E." A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of 80. Born in 1944, he was a kind and welcoming presence who always made those around him feel at ease with his infectious sense of humor. Oliver was a culinary enthusiast, renowned for his talents in cooking and barbequing, where gatherings with family were always highlighted by shared meals. He loved traveling, puzzles, music, and collecting miniature models of cars, motorcycles, and boats, with a particular fondness for Corvettes. A passionate motorcycle rider and being a part of the GM and Allison Transmission Motorcycle Clubs, he reveled in the thrill of speed and adventure, sharing his love for fast cars with those around him. He cherished every opportunity to explore new places, capturing memories through his photography, one of his many hobbies. With a keen eye for detail, he not only relished taking pictures but also took great joy in assembling elaborate puzzles, crafting beautiful frames, and proudly displaying his completed works or gifting them to loved ones.

He was an avid sports fan, He held a loyal devotion to both the Indiana Pacers, back to the ABA at Market Square Arena and the Indianapolis Colts, since the first day they started to play at the RCA Dome. Having been a season ticket holder since the early days of their arrivals in Indianapolis. He actively participated in various sports throughout his lifetime, playing Basketball as a “center/forward” position with the US Navy Air Facility in Adak Islands, Alaska, “1965 ADAK ALL STARS” Basketball Team and every year in the “Indianapolis Gus Macker Basketball Games”, Until his mid 50’s. Oliver’s knack for bowling was well known, as a very proficient and competitive bowler. He became a competent member of numerous leagues, including his own Mahone family League-mother, sisters, brothers and cousins, Hindel Bowling Lanes, The Raceway Lanes, New Edition & The Saturday Night Mixed League.

Oliver's robust spirit shaped not only by his professional endeavors but also by his service in the United States Navy, where he rose to the rank of E-4 Petty Officer Third Class. His naval career included time spent at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the Navy Air Facility in Adak, Alaska, culminating in service aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) now known as the USS Hornet Museum (CV-12, CVA-12, CVS-12) in Alameda, California. What Oliver cherished most was being included in the retrieval of NASA’s test space capsules, without, the Astronauts participating. On July 24, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 11, America’s first lunar landing mission with Astronauts-Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Oliver’s U.S. Navy carrier the USS Hornet (CV-12) was selected by the U.S. Navy as the prime recovery ship. Oliver was a part of numerous test space capsule recovery missions in the late 60’s. One of Oliver’s major achievements was being a United States Navy carrying camera pass holder where he captured many of his experiences on the USS Hornet (CV-12) at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the Navy Air Facility in Adak, Alaska. His experiences in the U.S. Navy not only honed his skills as an air traffic controller and fire damage controlman. Many pilots’ lives were saved because Oliver saved them from dangerous fires from Jet-fighters. He will be a hero to many U.S. Navy Sailors, Pilots and their families for his thankless sacrificial hard work in the U.S. Navy. Oliver joined the Navy because He loved the ocean, Jet-fighters and Carriers so dear, which remained a cherished element of his life. We will remember Oliver for so many heroic moments in his U.S. Navy Military career.

Oliver dedicated a significant portion of his life to his career as a repairman at Allison Transmission for 4 years and a Journeyman Machinist at General Motors, where he devoted 34 years of his skills and work ethic. He initiated and designed safety and productivity ideas that GM engineers built and put in GM plants across the U.S. GM awarded and compensated him for several ideas, before his retirement in 2006. Oliver’s steadfast commitment to his craft was mirrored by his equally intense dedication to his family. His hands were often busy, earning him the affectionate title of “Grease Monkey” and “Tinker.” As a devoted machine repairman at GM, he embraced the challenge of fixing things and orchestrating building projects, skills he inherited from his father, Mr. Lomax Mahone, Sr., and a legacy of mechanically inclined uncles and brothers. These traits not only showcased his talent but also reflected the strong family bonds that shaped him. His love for music knew no bounds, with an eclectic appreciation for all genres, yet his heart belonged to jazz and soul (Motown) music. You could always count on him to bring along his notorious “Boombox,” ensuring that wherever he went, the vibrant sounds of his favorite tunes accompanied his adventures. His father, Mr. Lomax, Sr. was influential when it came to Oliver’s craft and the start of his love for music. Together they enjoyed building sound boards and speakers for the “Chitlin Circuit” that brought many artists to Indianapolis such as Aretha Franklin, Ike and Turner and Wes Montgomery just to name a few.

In 1962 the Southern Christian Leadership Conference launched the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket, in Atlanta with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket expanded to Chicago as part of the (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket Chicago Campaign, where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., then appointed Rev. Jesse Jackson as the National Director of the (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket’s programs in the late 1960’s. Oliver joined the Chicago and Indiana Chapters during the civil rights movement where He was one of the “Marshalls” of (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket. He was known and named by his fellow members as “M.O.E.” One of “M.O.E’s” honors was being the bodyguard for Mrs. Coretta Scott King while serving with Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Chicago, Indiana and Atlanta. In 1971, Rev. Jesse Jackson resigned from (SCLC) and launched his own Economic Empowerment Organization called Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) and in 1984 after his first presidential campaign he launched The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which sought “Equal Rights for All Americans.” “M.O.E” was extremely proud of his service with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr and Rev. Jesse Jackson, for being a part of the initial (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket.

A few other proud moments of Oliver’s were, being an “official card carrying” STATE of INDIANA/Department of State/LOBBYIST “Movement For Opportunity & Equality”, in the mid to late 70’s. Another proud moment Oliver continued his fight for equal rights to be able to travel and to be a part of “MARCH ON WASHINGTON” In 1984 and then he traveled to the “MILLION MAN MARCH” in Washington, DC. Oct. 15, 1995. Oliver was present during a historical event in Indianapolis what is now known as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park & Kennedy King Memorial Initiative at 17th and Broadway. In 1968, Robert F. Kennedy visited Indianapolis and was scheduled to speak and had to announce the death of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The speech that was given by Robert F. Kennedy April 4th, 1968, is now engraved at his memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, because on that night while cities across the nation erupted in violence Indianapolis stayed calm. Kennedy’s speech reverberated across Indianapolis, working its way deep into the hearts of Oliver and many civil rights leaders that was present. That powerful speech continued to grow in Oliver, which pushed him to fight for Civil Rights and Equality. This powerful speech became Oliver’s Moto. “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another.”

Education was very important to Oliver. He helped shaped his Daughter, Sonja and his Grandchildren, Ariel, Antwaune and Anaiah’s educational and life experiences by providing educational resources that developed their education, motor, and sensory skills. He encouraged them to learn a skill trade to use throughout their lives. Through PaPa’s persistent motivation, Ariel has a BS in Business Administration, while managing family, career and her own businesses. Antwaune has a BS in Psychology after serving 4 years in the U.S. Navy. 2 years as a Ceremonial Honor Guard and 2 years overseas on an Elite Battle Destroyer as a Gunner’s Mate, as well as serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Anaiah Banks, which her PaPa fondly named her “Annie”, is currently completing her education as a Dual Degree Purdue University -Mechanical Engineering & Butler University-Art & Design upcoming Senior College Student. His great-grandson, Xavier Johnson, will remember his PaPa for all the valuable collectable trucks and cars he gifted him and his encouragement to be a great sportsman in basketball and football. Oliver was extremely proud to find out that his daughter, Sonja, would be going back to college to become a “College Professor”, Emphasis, In A BS “Instructional Design” Degree & A Masters Degree In “Higher Education Administration”. Oliver, had been persuading, waiting & expecting Sonja, to go back to college and receive her College Degrees, all of her adult life.

Oliver loved all his grandchildren. He enjoyed taking his Granddaughter, Ariel Boyd-Gildon, Grandson, Antwaune Boyd, (Antwaune’s Best friend, Michael), His Great-nephew Paul Young and a few other Nephews, to the Mount Comfort Airshow for many years. The FC-31 Stealth Bomber/Fighter, F22 Raptor, Military Aircraft, Jet-fighters, The Blue Angels, The Tuskegee Airmen & Thunderbirds, were some of his favorite Airshows.

Every May, Oliver enjoyed driving around the Indianapolis 500 Speedway track with his Corvette or Hummer, embracing the vibrant energy of his own drive. Oliver’s experience of retrieving the NASA space capsule on the USS Hornet (CV-12 ) made him extremely excited at the “final countdown”, to watch on his television every Space Shuttle launched mission. He was a beloved entertainer, a masterful cook, and a barbecue aficionado, bringing warmth and laughter to every family gathering and friendly get together. His infectious spirit filled the air as he played his music “very loud,” connecting everyone around him through shared moments of joy while cooking or reveling in the thrill of sports whether it was basketball or football. He was a true fisherman and enjoyed fishing throughout Indianapolis and Chicago on his cabin cruiser.

Oliver loved and admired his Father, Lomax Mahone, Sr., his Uncle’s, Brother’s, Cousin’s & Best Friend’s. Oliver, also, simply adored his Mother, Harrietta Mahone-Williams, his Grandmother, Leola Elahee (Who helped raise Oliver & his siblings) and his Great-Grandmother Campbell, who lived past the age of “100 Years Old”. Oliver, was pleasantly surprised and so proud, as an adult, when his Mother told him, that he was fondly named, after his Mother’s Father, “Oliver” Sheldon.

Oliver loved to collect “Family Keepsakes” & Cards, from his family members. One of Oliver’s Most “Prized Keepsakes” is a card from his Mother, along with a letter and a cassette tape, with a recording of her last desires for her Son, Oliver. She expressed that she was very concerned for him and for his salvation. She wanted him to “Repent for his Sins”, “Get Baptized”, “Surrender his Ways” and to “Give His Life And His Heart, To Jesus Christ, before her last living days. She wanted to know that Oliver would be alright and that he would join her in Heaven, one-day. Oliver, treasured and loved his Mother, so he did everything that she requested, before she went to Heaven. Oliver, wanted to make that no matter what, he would see his Mother again and he knew that he would find her in Heaven, if he honored her requests.

My Daddy loved gathering’s, holidays, parties and family reunions. He always showed up with gifts, food & music! Now, My Daddy is with a host of family, friends, Our LORD Almighty and the Angels. They are having the most glorious “HOLY-Day”, family reunion and party, that my Daddy has ever experienced in his “I Did It My Way” & “I Have No Regrets” Life. Thank You, So Much, Daddy, For Everything That You Did To Be A Blessing To Me, Your Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, Family & Friends All Of Your Life! Daddy, We Will Cherish Every Memory With You, Miss You, Always & Love You, Everyday Of Our Lives!

Oliver leaves behind a loving family. He is survived by his Daughter, Sonja Mahone-Banks (Lee Banks); his Grandchildren: Granddaughter, Ariel Boyd-Gildon (Antwone Gildon); Grandson, Antwaune Boyd, and Granddaughter, "Annie" Anaiah Banks; “bonus” Granddaughter, Lia Banks; and Great-Grandson, Xavier Johnson, alongside his “bonus” Great-Granddaughter, Lily Gildon. They were truly the "apple of his eye," and he poured his heart into nurturing and treasuring them. He held dear the bonds he shared with his Siblings, Harry Mahone (Yoko), Rosemary Grant, Mildred Johnson (Robert), Robert Mahone, William Mahone, Anthony “Tony” Mahone(Alison), Duane Mahone, David Williams (Cynthia), Teresa Williams, and Claude Williams. A host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins & Friends; As well as, his Ex-wife, Elwanda Cheatham-Mahone, with Whom he shared 14 years of marriage and had their only child, Daughter, Sonja Mahone-Banks. Oliver treasured and loved all of his “Mahone and Cheatham” family, very much.

Oliver is preceded in death by his Mother, Harrietta Mahone Williams (Rev. Manuel Williams) and Father, Lomax Mahone, Sr. (Emogene Mahone); Great-grandmother, Leola Elahee (Oliver Sheldon) and Siblings, Lorraine Massey, Lomax Mahone, Jr., George Mahone, Raymond Mahone, Dorothy Harlan, Betty Williams, Barbara Simpson and Janice Valentine. As Well As, A Host Of Beloved Great-Grandparents, Grandparent’s, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins/Family & Friends.

Oliver’s legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of his Daughter, Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.