Oliver Lester Race, born June 3, 1928, died peacefully Tuesday morning, April 11, 2023 at his residence at Dogwood Forest Assisted Living in Acworth, GA. He was surrounded by his devoted wife of nearly 72 years, Charline Hendry Race, along with his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Race was born in East Point, Georgia to the late Ruath J. and Eula Mae Smith Race. An avid golfer, he spent his younger years active in a wide variety of sports. He graduated from Atlanta Tech High and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology before earning his apprenticeship in tool and die manufacturing in Dayton, Ohio and working for the Georgia State Highway Department. Mr. Race then established his own business, Advanced Tool & Die, in Forest Park and later Universal Tool & Die in College Park.

One of the best in his field, Mr. Race was a lifelong innovator with numerous inventions, patents and developments to his name. His most notable accomplishments included design of a drainage system for Interstate 75 and the design and fabrication of dies for the automotive industry. In addition to his career, Mr. Race enjoyed beekeeping, fishing, raising orchids and anthuriums and cultivating vegetables on his farm in Southwest Georgia. He was a gifted chef with a lifelong passion for music and travel.

Mr. Race is survived by his wife, Charline; sister Ruth Jean of Ohio; children Donna Alexander Race (Phil) Connell of Bluffton, SC, Craig (Deborah) Race of Atlanta, GA and Roger (Teri) Race of Ranger, GA; Robin Race of Braselton, GA; grandchildren Lauren Race (Robert) Powell of Charlotte, NC, Cameron (Ashley) Race of Buford, GA and Torrey (Chelsea) Brown of Woodstock, GA; great-grandchildren Eden Powell, Rowan Powell and Emmett Race; and caregiver Cindy Shaw. Mr. Race is predeceased by his brothers, John and Richard Race, and granddaughter Kala Brown.

A celebration of Mr. Race's life will be held Saturday, April 22 at Collins Funeral Home on North Main Street in Acworth, Georgia. The family will receive visitors at 10:00am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Marietta First United Methodist Church (Marietta, GA) or Samaritan's Purse www.samaritanspurse.org Collins Funeral Home, 4947 N. Main St., Acworth, GA 30101, 770.974.3133.