John Thompson Olsen passed away on Aug. 9, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer.
John was born on Jan. 2, 1938, to Harold and Ora Thompson Olsen in Detroit, MI. He graduated from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, WA, in 1956. After graduation, he proudly served in the US Air Force for 31 years as an aircraft mechanic, crew chief, and flight engineer on B-47 Bombers, B-52 Bombers, EC-121 “Connies”, C-141 Cargo, and E-3 AWACS aircraft achieving the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He served during the Vietnam War, flying combat missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
John met Macy Smith at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA, while both were serving in the Air Force. They wed on Aug. 18, 1961. After retiring in 1988 from the US Air Force, John enjoyed his second career as a semi-truck driver for 15 years.
John was predeceased by his parents, Harold Olsen and Ora Thompson Olsen; stepfather, Harold Oliver; and his son, David Olsen.
He is survived by his wife, Macy Olsen; daughter, Myra and son-in-law, Randy Huff, of McLoud OK; son, Scott and daughter-in-law, Amy Olsen, of Boerne, Texas; and sister, Judith Louro of Walnut Creek, CA. John loved his six grandchildren: Joshua Olsen, Derek Huff, Miranda Huff, Ryan Huff, Faith Olsen and Lindley Olsen and three great-grandchildren, Leah Schiltz, Bentley Olsen, and Everly Huff.
A memorial service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, Shawnee, OK, on Aug. 30 at 11am.
