Harry McLeod D’Olive, 86, a native of Bromley and a resident of Bay Minette, died Friday, April 11, 2008 at North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette.
He attended Baldwin County High School where he starred in football as a triple-threat runner, passer and kicker and was captain of the team his senior year. He later attended Spring Hill College and the University of Alabama.
He learned to play the fiddle at an early age and continued playing throughout his life with various groups, and at social and political functions across the state, which earned him the nickname “The Fiddlin’ Judge” later in life. He also performed with local recording artist Happy Wainwright and his “Kings of the Hillbillies” on the WKRG Radio Show in the 1950s.
He called for several square dance clubs across the county during the late ‘50s and early ‘60s; was an avid hunter and fisherman; he introduced the first airboat to the Delta in 1965 and was often called on to aid in the search and rescue of missing and stranded boaters; was a charter member and former director of the Baldwin County Wildlife Federation.
He began his career in the probate office in 1952 as the chief clerk and was elected Judge of Probate in 1964, where he served until his retirement in October 1993. He was one of the longest serving elected officials in Baldwin County.
Some noted accomplishments during his tenure include the passage of local legislation making the probate Judge the ex-officio license commissioner thereby allowing automobile licenses to be purchased with one payment and by mail.
His office was the first in the courthouse to become computerized making Baldwin a pioneer county through the state, which also laid the groundwork for the online services available today; introduced the concept of satellite courthouses by first opening tag offices in Fairhope and Foley.
He was an active Shriner and Past Potentate of Abba Temple in Mobile.; was a member of the Spanish Fort Masonic Lodge No. 916, the Mobile York Rite and Scottish Rite Bodies and past president of the Baldwin County Shrine Club; was a past president of the Alabama Probate Judges Association and an honorary Life Member of the Baldwin County Bar Association.
He was recognized for his accomplishments in the Congressional Record of the 99th Session of the United States Congress in 1986; and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Bay Minette. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Lee D’Olive and a granddaughter, Harriett D’Olive.
Survivors include his wife, Myrtle Winn “Betty” D’Olive of Bay Minette; son, Harry M. (Natasha) D’Olive of Spanish Fort; two daughters, Harriett (Tom) McMillan of Bay Minette and Joan (John) Anderson of Navarre, Fla.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 14 at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bruce Fitzgerald officiating. Burial followed at Bay Minette Cemetery.
The active pallbearers were Tom McMillan, Archie McMillan, John Anderson, John Mostellar, Mike D’Olive and Daniel D’Olive. Honorary pallbearers were D’Olive’s Sunday School Class.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 338, Bay Minette, AL 36507 or to the Abba Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, 7701 Hitt Rd., Mobile, AL 36695.
Arrangements were made by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
