John Watkins Oliver

John Watkins Oliver (December 17, 1914 – April 25, 1990) was a United States federal judge; born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Oliver received an A.B. from the University of Missouri in 1933 and an LL.B. from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1936. He was in private practice in Kansas City, Missouri from 1936 to 1962.

On March 5, 1962, Oliver was nominated by President John F. Kennedy for a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri vacated by R. Jasper Smith. Oliver was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 2, 1962, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1977 to 1980, assuming senior status on November 3, 1980 and serving in that capacity until his death, in Kansas City.

Sources

• John Watkins Oliver at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.