Melvin Alment Olsen, age 86, of Bell, Fla., passed away peacefully on July 21, 2021, at his home with his family by his side.
He was born on Dec. 8, 1934, in Hobart, to Otto and Adelia Olsen. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he worked for Strategic Air Command. After a few years of service, he returned home to care for his parents.
Mr. Olsen worked as a car salesman, worked on an ambulance, and he was the owner and operator of Olsen’s Meat Market for many years. After retiring from the meat industry, they moved south and ended up in Trenton, Fla. Mr. Olsen and his wife, Deb, called Gilchrist County home for the last 30 years. He was an avid car enthusiast and loved restoring old cars and trucks. He was a loving father and husband and will be deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Camie Jo Latta; siblings Freddy, Otto, and Avis; and his grandson, Jeremy Burdick.
Mr. Olsen is survived by his wife of 47 years, Deb Olsen of Bell, Fla., daughters Christine (Scott) Brown of Gainesville, Ga., Connie (Keith) McClean of Bloomville, Collen (Mike) Alexander of Hobart, Terri (Marcus) Perkins of Ridgeville, S.C., Brandi (Jeter) Olsen of Bell; his sons, Alan Bruce Olsen of Montana and Lance Richard Olsen of Panama City, Fla.; brother Eugene (Marilyn) Olsen of Bloomville, 16 grandchildren, Colton and Elliot Spears, Hayden Harris, Damian Perkins, Lance Olsen II, Brandon Olsen, Kaitlyn and Keith McClean, Artie Choate, Tyler Latta, Philip and Jessica West, Amber, Lance Richard, Matthew, and McKenzie Alexander; and several great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton, Fla.; 352-463-8888; www.WatsonMilton.com.
