On Monday, March 10, 2014, at 12:05 a.m., moments after family sang “Happy
Birthday” to him; Richard B. Olney, Jr. “Dick Olney” drew his last breath
and exited this life to join family and friends that have gone before him.
He was born on March 10, 1944, in Pensacola, FL, at the old Sacred Heart
Hospital into a lineage of 10 generations of Olneys who served through
military and public service. He graduated from the Citadel Military College
in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and had a short career
within the Air Force, which culminated in 1971 when he returned to Pensacola
with his family. Dick Olney was well loved and loved well especially in the
greater Pensacola community of builders/architects/realtors, the Fiesta of
Five Flags, St. Mary’s Productions, as well as the members and families of
the Pensacola Suburban West Rotary where he served as their “Santa” on many
wonderful occasions. Dick was the pirate, who wrote the clues for the Fiesta
of Five Flags Deluna Treasure Hunt, which saw great success and popularity
in the 70’s and 80’s with witty and poetic riddles that, not only inspired
the learning of the history of the 1st settlement, but also led individuals
to broaden their minds with clever literary references (e.g.
friend-of-reynard : pal-a-fox). As publisher of Builder/Architect Magazine,
he found another creative outlet through his publisher’s notes and promoted
many local home builders and architects by chronicling their
accomplishments. He influenced many, not just his girls and baby sister, but
also the children he substitute taught in the Escambia County school system
with his passion for poetry, literature, and the Spanish language. His last
days were spent being read to and serenaded by loved ones. Dick Olney is
preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Davis Olney. He is survived by his
wife, Colleen Olney; father, Col. Richard B. Olney (Cynthia); daughters,
Kathy, DiDi, and Amanda Olney; sisters, Bobbye Olney Carroll and Trisha
Olney Bothwell; step-sister, Lisa Gibbs; grandchildren, Elery and Amalie
Ostertag; nieces and nephew, respectively, Nicole Carroll Keating, Margaret
Rachels Brunner, Jeannie Carroll Schmidt, and Michael Carroll. Dick is also
survived by the following special individuals, Jackie R. Olney, mother of
his children; Tom Ostertag, father of his grandchildren; Michael Bailey,
partner of Dick’s daughter, Kathy; Larry Nevins; Sam Bothwell; John-David
Keating; and a large family of cousins. His legacy can be seen in the
indelible marks he has left on the many people he knows and loves. The
stories and songs he has taught us will live on through us, and remember,
“He who speaks my name causes me to live again.” Visitation will be
Wednesday, March 12, 2014, from 5-7pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014, 11am at St.
John’s Cemetery, 301 N. G St., Pensacola, FL 32501. Flowers and other forms
of respect are welcome. Express your condolences in our guestbook at
pnj.com/obits
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