The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1984.

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Oliver H. Delchamps, Jr., business executive, churchman, civic leader and avid supporter of education was born January 17, 1933 in Mobile, Alabama.

Following in his father's footsteps, he worked his way up in Delchamps' Inc. to Chairman of its Executive Committee. His expertise and drive guided this sixty-six retail chain of grocery stores to annual sales of $500 million dollars, giving employment to 3,600 people.

Mr. Delchamps was a member of the Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and stressed spiritual values wherever he believed his talents and energy would be productive.

Mr. Delchamps accepted many civic assignments, working vigorously to improve the living conditions of young and old alike. He served as director of the Mobile Association for the Blind, Mobile Opera Guild, YMCA of Mobile, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mobile Public Library, as the Chairman of the Advance Gifts Division of the Little Sisters of the Poor Development Fund and as member of the Board of Trustees of Mobile Infirmary and was a member of the Gulf Health Board of Directors.

Mr. Delchamps served as president of America's Junior Miss Scholarship Fund. He supported the Boy Scouts of America movement with his means and his efforts; the Mobile United Way received his considerable momentum as did many other worthwhile efforts for the good of his fellow man.

As a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, he made a signal contribution to higher education in Alabama and the nation. His interest in improving the minds and characters of all the people of his area, from kindergarten through college, was well known.

In addition to his own business responsibilities, he accepted directorates in the United States Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Investment Development Board, First Alabama Banchares and Merchants National Bank of Mobile.

He was listed in Who's Who in America.

He was married to Otilia Meyer, with whom he had three children: Oliver Harris, III, Karen Ann, and John Meyer.  Mr. Delchamps passed away on October 31, 2019.

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