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Major D. “Jim” Olmes Jr.

Major-Olmes-1417781408Major D. “Jim” Olmes Jr., 93, of 205 Lincoln St., Oil City, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, in UPMC Northwest Hospital following a brief illness.

Born Jan. 7, 1921, in Franklin, he was the son of Major D. Olmes Sr. and Oneita Biery Olmes.

He graduated from Titusville High School and Grove City College where he lettered in swimming and football.

A World War II veteran, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Olmes was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor as a forward air observer during the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Air Medal. He also served during the occupation of Japan.

Following his military service, he attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he earned his law degree.

He and Jack Rynd were partners in the Rynd & Olmes law firm for many years in Oil City. Mr. Olmes previously served as president of the Venango County Bar Association.

He married the love of his life, the former Virginia Lee Pence of New Castle, on Feb. 14, 1944, in Pasadena, Calif. They celebrated 60 years of marriage together. She preceded him in death on March 30, 2004.

His greatest joy was his family and he took great pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their adventures were his adventures and he was supportive of all their endeavors. He and his wife blessed their family with a loving home, an unwavering loyalty, open hearts and an abundance of affection.

Mr. Olmes enjoyed stamp collecting, basset hounds, photograph albums, long converstations, McNerney’s in Oil City and traveling, especially abroad. He loved classical music and in his earlier years played the violin in his father’s orchestra.

He and his wife were summer residents of Rockmere for 50 years.

Active in the community, Mr. Olmes served on the Oil City school board and the former Northwest Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Co. board. He previously served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Lung Association.

He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church. He previously belonged to the Wanango Country Club, the Oil City Club and the One Hundred Club.

He is survived by four children and their spouses, James E. Olmes and his wife Erin of Marco Island, Fla., Judith O. Etzel and her husband James of Oil City, Susan J. Watson and her husband John of Valrico, Fla., Margaret A. Fischer and her husband Daniel of Whitefish, Mont.; four grandsons, Joshua A. Etzel and his wife Nancy Gabriela of Humble, Texas, Daniel S. Olmes and his wife Elisa of Reston, Va., Samuel N. Watson and his wife Mary of Chicago, Ill., and Peter J. Watson in the Czech Republic; three great-granddaughters, Daniela Marie Etzel and Evangeline Virginia Etzel, both of Humble, Texas, and Berkeley Rose Olmes of Reston, Va.; one great-grandson, Chase Brandon Olmes of Reston, Va.

Also surviving is an extended family, James and Sue Ellen Hauseman of Virginia, Wayne and Laurel Hauseman of Virginia and Patricia and Lloyd Hipkins of Virginia.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, Joel Christopher Olmes in 1973 and Samuel Donald Olmes in 1975, and one brother, Edward B. Olmes.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Morrison Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Second Presbyterian Church.

A private graveside ceremony in Grove Hill Cemetery will follow.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Oil City YMCA, the Venango County Humane Society or the Wounded Warriors program.

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