Rudolph Lazarine Olivarez, better known as Billy, Tiger Olivarez, or Big Tiger, passed away Thursday, July 29 at his home surrounded by his family. Born in Beeville, Texas, on November 19, 1931, Tiger and his brother, Albert, moved with their parents to Corpus Christi, Texas where they helped their mother operate a favorite local eatery, the Tamale Shack. Tiger worked as a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad until retirement.
Tiger was married to his beloved wife, Margie, for fifty-nine (59) years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sophia and Antonio Olivarez of Corpus Christi, and brother, Richard, who died in infancy. He is survived by his brother Albert Olivarez of Corpus Christi, sister-in-law Santos Narvaez of San Antonio, daughters Kathy Jo (Chuck) Gardner of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Nancy (Duke) Bonilla of Corpus Christi, Sharon (Orlando) Garcia of Corpus Christi, Judy (Dan) Burgess of Austin, Betty Mounts of Corpus Christi, Cammie (Ted) Bonilla of Corpus Christi, and son Eric Olivarez (fiancée Autumn Kelley), of San Antonio, in addition to eighteen (18) grandchildren, fifteen (15) great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews he loved dearly. He loved family and enjoyed sharing stories and cracking jokes with them all. He loved visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Tiger was a proud veteran of the Korean conflict, serving in the United States Air Force. He was a lifetime member of Pan American Golf Association (PAGA), first joining the San Antonio chapter in the 1960’s, later becoming a member of the Corpus Christi chapter. His passion was inspiring youth to love the game of golf as much as he did. He took pride in teaching young golfers how to master the fundamentals and he spent many hours volunteering his time for junior golfers. Tiger served as the PAGA National Junior Chairman Director for thirty-two (32) years and conducted local PAGA Youth Golf Clinics every summer until he was no longer physically able to do so. He received many golf accolades throughout the years including a PAGA National Championship, his first and only PAGA National Champion trophy in 1981, just one year after celebrating his first year of sobriety. He was later inducted into the National PAGA Hall of Fame where he stands as a pioneer for this beloved golf organization
Tiger served on the City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Committee and as a Marshall at the Gabe Lozano Golf Course. The First Tee, Tiger Olivarez Golf and Literacy Academy was named in his honor and he received the Thomas Jefferson Award honoring individuals for their commitment to public service.
Another passion of Tiger’s was helping individuals gain sobriety through the Alcoholics Anonymous program. At the time of his death, Tiger had celebrated forty (41) years of sobriety and helped many others learn the principles of the program. Tiger’s legacy is the number of people he helped along the way and the many friends he leaves behind.
Tiger’s proudest role was that of father and grandfather, always on the sidelines cheering on his children, and later his grandchildren, as they participated in sports events. Tiger could always be heard in any stands yelling something colorful such as, “Make that basket and you won’t have to wash dishes for a week!” He had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit that endeared him to so many people. We are all going to miss his favorite line of, “What’d you bring me?” We love you, Tiger. We all miss you dearly and you will always be in our hearts. You were a cool cat.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Corpus Christi Funeral Home, 2409 Baldwin Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 3350 South Alameda Street, Corpus Christi, Texas. Interment will immediately follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park.
Click here to view a webcast of the service on 8/4/2021 at 06:55 PM, Central Standard Time.