Ray Alfred Olinger

1927 - 2005

Ray Alfred Olinger Feb. 23, 1927 Sept. 4, 2005 Services: Thurs., Sept. 8, 9:30 a.m. Viewing will be Wednesday, September 7th, from 5 to 9 p.m., with graveside services on Thursday, September 8th, at 9:30 a.m., at Greenlawn Southwest. Ray Alfred Olinger was born in Madison County, Arkansas to share-cropping farmers, and passed away in Bakersfield, CA. In 1945, at the age of 18, Ray enlisted in the Army and was sent to the Pacific Theater. He was in the first wave of troops to occupy Japan. He was discharged, but 2 years later Ray re-enlisted in the Army and served another 20 years. Korea and Vietnam made him a 3 war veteran. In 1953, while stationed in England, Ray met and then married Annie Brookes. The pair traveled the world living the Army life, and raised four children. In 1969, at the rank of E-7, Ray retired from the Army and moved his family to Bakersfield. Retiring as a Mess Sergeant, Ray worked in industrial kitchens and restaurants in Bakersfield for 26 years before retiring. Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Annie; parents, John and Laura; and brothers, Orville, Frank and Doyle. He is survived by his children, Sally-Ann Broussard and husband, Joe, John Olinger and wife, Tammy, Catherine Olinger, and Joady Garza; grandchildren, Christina Cardona and husband, Jose, Jennifer Olinger, Joey and Tommy Broussard, Anthony Garza, and Johnny Olinger and wife, Amanda; great-grandchildren, Myree and Mason Bowden, Charlie Kendrick and Johnny Olinger; and Rays two sisters, Mae McKee and Zelma Taylor. Ray is also survived by Annies family in England, which he always regarded as his own; sisters-in-law, Louie Board and husband, David, Joan Moran and husband, Ollie; and many nieces and nephews in Britain and Australia as well as America. Despite his gruff exterior, the focus of Rays retirement was his grandchildren. He will be remembered most by them for the childhood road trips to the parks, mountains, and beaches of California. Rays family would like to extend a special Thank You to Hoffmann Hospice and to the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center for their care and kindness. Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary Funeral Directors Legacy.com