‘One-of-a-kind’
Beloved restaurateur Joe Neal Oliver dies at 79
TEXARKANA — Those who knew Joe Neal Oliver are quick to point out his wit, public engagement and business savvy — qualities they say they will miss.
Oliver, the former owner of Cattleman’s Steakhouse and Seafood, died Feb. 26. He was 79.
“Not only was Joe Neal Oliver the ultimate host at any of his restaurants, he was the ultimate friend to those he loved. I will miss him greatly and so will many others,” said Julia Peck Mobley, CEO of Commercial National Bank.
Oliver’s father, Roy, opened Cattleman’s in 1964, and Oliver was a fixture there until steakhouse closed in 2022. It reopened shortly thereafter under new ownership as Llena Luna.
Oliver often could be seen in a red apron and working in the kitchen at Cattleman’s.
“I wear an apron because I’m here to work and I’m here to serve the customers,” Oliver said in an earlier Gazette interview. “In this business, it has to be more than a job. You have to have a passion for food and if you don’t, odds are you will never be successful.”
In 2020, Cattleman’s was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
Cattleman’s was popular with officials at all levels of government. Former President Bill Clinton is reported to have visited the restaurant on several occasions.
“Joe Neal is the ultimate host of fundraisers in Texarkana, Ark.,” retired accountant Tom Cabaniss said in a 2014 article. “It does not make any difference whether you are Democrat, Republican or Tea Party, he will put it on for you.”
The restaurant became so connected with informal political gatherings that local officials who met there became known as the Steakhouse Gang.
And it was not just the political types who have fond memories of the steakhouse and Oliver.
Local developer Richard Reynolds described Cattleman’s as legendary. He praised Oliver, his father and son Cash for turning the restaurant into a Texarkana staple.
“Joe Neal was an exceptional businessman and helpful to other people in the restaurant community and other local business owners. He was quick-witted, mischievous and one-of-a-kind. He will be terribly missed,” Reynolds said.
Businessman Richard Savins said Oliver’s insight and respect for others fueled Cattleman’s longevity.
“He was always talking about his employees with such high regard. The fact that he had so many with him for 20-plus years is a testament to his leadership,” Savins said.
Joe Neal Oliver was born April 9, 1944. He is survived by one brother, David Fricks; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ron and Theresa Horton and Cash and Sarah Oliver; two daughters, Kathryn Diggs and Megan Jo Oliver; and nine grandchildren, Conor Horton, Jackson Horton, James Horton, Alice Horton, Abigail Diggs, Chloe Diggs, Cullen Diggs, Brayden Oliver and Archer Oliver.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at St. James Episcopal Church, 417 Olive St.