Floyd Oliver; Publicist Helped Times Mirror Gain Prominence

Floyd A. Oliver, a veteran public relations executive who helped the expanding Times Mirror Co. gain national prominence 30 years ago, has died at the age of 66.

Oliver, who lived in Los Angeles, died of leukemia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Sept. 9. Private services were conducted last Saturday at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale.

A native of Seattle, Oliver received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Washington, where he was elected to the scholastic honorary society Phi Beta Kappa. He later graduated from the Naval Justice School and served as a lieutenant aboard the Point Cruz during the Korean War.

Oliver earned an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.

He began his publicity career as director of public relations for the Seattle Park Department, and later handled publicity for Northwest Airlines in Seattle.

Oliver moved to Los Angeles in 1961 to work for the Foristall Co., an investor relations firm, and soon became a partner.

As the Los Angeles Times expanded its parent, Times Mirror, into a major corporation, Oliver and Foristall Co. spread the word, making the burgeoning organization a nationally known entity in financial as well as journalistic circles.

Oliver left Foristall in 1990 to form Pro Active Public Relations. He occasionally wrote articles on business subjects for The Times and for Seattle newspapers.

Oliver was on the board of the Opera Associates of Los Angeles, and served as a trustee of Immaculate Heart High School in Hollywood.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, the former Marilyn Tower; his mother, Marie Oliver; a son, Scott Oliver, and daughter, Lauren Oliver, and three brothers, Ray, Earl and Robert Oliver.

The family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Floyd Oliver Fund, Immaculate Heart High School, 555 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles 90028, or to the Children’s Club, Assistance League of Southern California, 1370 N. St. Andrews Place, Los Angeles 90028.