A.Y. Olds Obituary

A.Y. Olds

11/27/23 - 12/9/14

Our beloved husband, dad and friend, A. Y. passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in his sleep with his family at his side. His 91st birthday was on Thanksgiving Day. A.Y. was born and raised in Crowell, Texas and his grandfather, James H., was a famous cowboy, working for several cattle ranches and was a super roper. Dad excelled in acting and was quarterback on the Crowell football team.

In 1941, he won the prestigious Samuel French Award for Best Dramatic Actor in Texas. Dad attended the University of Texas in Austin where he earned his BBA business degree in 1944. He served on the destroyer U.S.S. Hudson (DD475) in the Pacific theater of WW2 with an exciting war record, surviving Iwo Jima and a kamikaze attack.

Dad married Joyce Bumpass, from Quanah, Texas, in 1946, and they were together 69 years. Dad always said this was the best thing that ever happened to him. Upon his Navy discharge near Dodger Stadium, he joined Humble Oil and Refining Company in Dallas and worked there 40 years as one of their key real estate executives. Exxon was extremely well-managed and provided a very good retirement.

A.Y. volunteered a lot in the South Bay, beginning in 1969, when his son's soccer team won the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) State Championship. Dad joined Hans Stierle and Ron Littlefair running Torrance operations and became Regional Commissioner. He was known as "Mr. AYSO" and first invited girls to play soccer, put AYSO on a sound financial footing, and established AYSO educational scholarships. Dad was always proud that everyone gets to play AYSO soccer. Dad was in the South Torrance and Signal Hill Lions Clubs, and also volunteered to help the Methodist Men of Riviera United Methodist Church, Boy Scouts, YMCA Indian Guides, El Camino College's Center for the Arts, Distinguished Speakers Series, and the South Bay Civic Light Opera. He was always there to lend his kids a hand however he could. Later, he was a top team captain supporting the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 5-K Walks for 18 years, raising over $25,000 for diabetes research and education. He was also a charter member of the Seal Beach McDonald's "McGeezers", a fun daily breakfast crowd.

A.Y. is survived by his wife, Joyce and three children, Linda Olds, Carole Preece and Jim Olds. Donations in A.Y.'s honor can be made to the El Camino College Center for the Arts.

A Memorial Service will be held for Dad on Sunday, January 4th, at 2pm at the Riviera United Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Breeze from Dec. 31, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for A.Y. Olds

7 Entries

Mike & Heidi Palmer

January 11, 2015

I first met Mr. A Y Olds when I was attending USC; Jim was also a student at the time. Mr. Olds drove us to football games a couple of times; he was definitely a 'people person'.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family.

Norie Roeder

January 4, 2015

Dear Jim, Joyce and family, My heartfelt sympathy to you all in the passing of A.Y. I was glad to have been able to attend his last birthday party. And have fond memories talking with him at 4th of July gatherings in Torrance and at baseball games at Dodgers stadium. My God comfort you in your loss. -Norie Roeder (friend of Jim Olds)

Paul and Francine Bostrom

January 3, 2015

Dear Joyce, Jim and the Olds family. We wish to send our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences. We got to know A.Y. when working with him at the Center for Performing Arts, El Camino College. He will be missed greatly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Paul and Francine Bostrom

Bill Cordero

January 3, 2015

My condolences to Jim and family. God bless you all.

Maureen Drew

January 1, 2015

Dear Olds Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I met Mr Olds a few times while volunteering at the walks for Diabetes at Veterans Park and in Long Beach. He was a great man who gave so much of himself while giving back to the community. I will remember him fondly.
Sincerely,
Maureen Drew

January 1, 2015

I had the opportunity to get to know A.Y. through the ADA walks in Redondo Beach. He worked tirelessly to raise funds and give back to the community. Thank you A.Y. for all you've done. My condolences are with his wife and family. Sincerely, Jill Stranger

Gregory Laurinat

December 31, 2014

Dear Mrs. Olds, Jim and the rest of the Olds Family. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. He was a very nice man. My sympathies to all of you.

Your neighbor,
Gregory Laurinat

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results