Obituary: John Ray Oltman
Provided Photo
– September 6, 2023
John Ray Oltman passed away at the age of 78 on September 6, 2023. He will be remembered as a loving partner to his wife, family and many close friends, as well as an intelligent and talented early technology manager and executive.
He was born to Ervin and Ida Oltman in Mt. Olive, Illinois where he attended elementary and high school excelling both academically and athletically.
He graduated from the University of Illinois, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and continued his education at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business, where he earned his MBA.
John worked for Bell Laboratories for a year before accepting a position with Arthur Anderson, where he became partner in 1983 and managing partner for Information Systems Integration in 1988. He left the firm in 1992 to accept a position as Chief Executive Officer at SHL Systemhouse. With insightful leadership, he transformed the company and eventually sold it to MCI. He was proud to mentor a talented group of individuals throughout the process. After the sale of SHL, John started his own consulting firm which he managed for over twenty years.
He met his wife Jan, in Chicago while still engrossed in his technology based career and Jan was a tennis instructor at the East Bank Club. Throughout the years, they shared a passion for each other as well as many sports and activities, including skiing, hiking, golf and tennis and last but not least a devotion to their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley, Buck and Monty who were in charge of everything.
John loved visits from his amazing group of friends and family, which gave him an opportunity to share his home and his many stories in beautiful Colorado. These are treasured memories of a person who had a passion for life.
He is survived by his wife Jan, his cousin JoAnn Gay, her daughter Justine Adden (Ross), his Godson Josh Clevenger, and his Goddaughter Sarah Goldacker.
He will be forever in our hearts.
