Tom Olsen

1934 - 2014

Tom Olsen

1934 - 2014

BORN

1934

DIED

2014

Tom Olsen Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 7, 2014.
SUMTER, S.C. (AP) - The former head of the Ninth Air Force who oversaw allied air operations in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War has died.

Retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Olsen was 79 when he died Sunday.

Bobby McCreight of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home in Sumter says services are Friday at 2 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Sumter, followed by burial at Sumter Cemetery with full military honors.

Olsen joined the Air Force in 1957 after graduating from Texas A&M University. He was based at Shaw Air Force Base outside Sumter twice and retired in 1991 after his service in the Gulf War.

Olsen also led the Sumter Base Defense Committee, which supported Shaw during the Pentagon's moves to consolidate and close military bases across the country.


Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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December 28, 2020

james g. sutphin.tsg usaf ret posted to the memorial.

February 18, 2014

Someone posted to the memorial.

January 11, 2014

Someone posted to the memorial.

29 Entries

james g. sutphin.tsg usaf ret

December 28, 2020

general tom olsen was a great man. we had cardiac rehab together for quite awhile.when imet him he said call me tom.isaid sir iam a ret sgt i am not used to calling generals by their first name.he insisted.

February 18, 2014

James 4:8 draw close to God and he will draw close to you.

January 11, 2014

The loss of a loved one can be so hard. Please have comfort in God 's love. 1 Cor. 15:26

1962 Myrtle Beach AFB

JC Jones

January 10, 2014

I am deeply saddened by Tom's passing. I knew him professionally and as a friend. He was a truly outstanding person. He will be sorely missed by both, his family and his friends.

Kim Rock

January 9, 2014

Rest in Peace, Major...Thank you for your service and may God be with your family.

Judy Neff

January 9, 2014

Freedom is not "free". It takes lots of respect and love of Country to serve. Maj General Olsen served it honorably. Blessings and heartfelt comfort to the family.

From a fellowed Retired Air Force Reserve.

January 8, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in the Bible at Hosea 13:14. There God says he will redeem their souls from the grave.

January 8, 2014

I am so sorry for loss. Please take comfort in the Bible at Hosea 13:14. There God will redeem their souls from the grave.

Donald Kay

January 8, 2014

What a distinguished career! I knew of him because of the Kay Family Association --- his wife Jackie's grandmother was a Kay in Anderson County, South Carolina, descended from Eldred Jefferson Davis Kay.

Rose D

January 8, 2014

To The Family and Friends of Tom Olsen:

May the God of all comfort, comfort you in your time of sorrow. You have my deepest sympathy.

Dianne Chinnes

January 8, 2014

Jackie,

My thoughts, love and prayers are with you.

Remember Tom's love will live forever.

Dianne

January 8, 2014

To the family.
I am sorry for your loss. May God provide you with the strength to cope with your loss.

Jane Dowling

January 8, 2014

Thank you for your service ~ Rest in peace.

January 8, 2014

Thank You for your service to our country.

January 8, 2014

sorry to hear about your loss.may you find comfort in knowing that the God of all comfort love and care for you and he make you strong in this most difficult time.

Vic Williams (Retired USAF)

January 7, 2014

He was a great leader and instrumental in our success in first Gulf War. Thanks for the sacrifices he and his family made during his distinguished career. RIP General and May God Bless his family during this sad time.

Dennis Salas

January 7, 2014

May the Good Lord Bless the Olsen Family with His Tender Love and may He give them strength during this trying times.

Our deepest Condolences and Prayers to the Family.
The Salas Family, Mangilao Guam

Mattie & Tommy

January 7, 2014

With love to Jackie, Rich, & Lisa. We will miss Tom. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Paul Keels

January 7, 2014

May God continue to bless you, as He has blessed us all with the life of this great man... and as He blessed Tom with you, his beloved wife and family.

January 7, 2014

My sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort from the peace of God during this time of distress and in the days ahead-Phillipians 4:6, 7. E.D. Park Forest, IL.

January 7, 2014

May the God of comfort, comfort you
and your family and give you peace.
May the love and support of family and
friends carry you through your grief.

R R

January 7, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of your great loss.
The God of all comfort promises a time when death will be no more.

January 7, 2014

To the Olsen family,
I am so sorry to hear of your
great loss
So God, with his son will completely wipe all death, tears, and pain.

Scott Chamberland

January 7, 2014

Rest in Peace

Mike Dugan

January 7, 2014

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

January 7, 2014

May you rest in peace Sir...Although I retired from USAF in 1985 (20 yrs) I never had the pleasure of serving under you...but, if I did, it would have been a great honor. MSgt Bob Vassallo, USAF, SAC, 7th AF, 93 BW (1967-1970) Guam AFB.

Marilynn Harmon

January 7, 2014

I would like to express my sympathy for the loss of Mr. Tom Olsen. May our heavenly Father be with the family during your time of bereavement. Please know that he cares for you.-1 Peter 5:6,7.

Harry Simpson

January 7, 2014

Rest Tom, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation.

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Sign Tom Olsen's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

December 28, 2020

james g. sutphin.tsg usaf ret posted to the memorial.

February 18, 2014

Someone posted to the memorial.

January 11, 2014

Someone posted to the memorial.