Edward Oliver Olsen

EDDIE OLSEN

Eddie passed away March 5, 2021.

Eddie was born in El Paso, Texas on January 25, 1922.  He was a graduate of Ysleta High School where he was a basketball and track star and was voted most popular boy.  He attended Texas College of Mines (UTEP).  In January of 1941 he met 16-year-old Jigger Davis in his English class and after only one date neither of them ever dated anyone else. They were married October 25, 1943.

In 1942 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard.  As a radar man he was aboard a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter doing convoy duty in the European Theater of war in the North Atlantic (Torpedo Alley).   He later served in the Pacific Theater of War and was a veteran of Iwo Jima.

Following his service years, he worked for Standard Oil Company of Texas for 25 years serving as an Area Representative based in Las Cruces.  He was transferred to Alamogordo in 1962 and later he chose to leave Standard Oil in order to remain in Alamogordo.  He then became a Vice President at Security Bank & Trust (Wells Fargo) from which he retired in 1983.

Eddie was on the United Way Board where he served as both campaign manager and president.

He helped start the Older American Center and the RSVP program and was Savings Bond chairman for Otero County.  He served as president of the Tiger Booster Club and was a board member of the Crime Stoppers Program.  He was a life time member of Elks Lodge 1897.

He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, a life member of the Ambassadors, received the Max Ray award, and served as Chamber president.  

Eddie was appointed to the City Commission and was later elected to a 4-year term during which he served as Mayor.  In 2002, Eddie was honored as “Citizen of the Year.”

For the past few years, Eddie spent time with family and enjoying his time on earth with the ultimate goal of being ready when his wife Jigger came back to take him home.

Survivors include son Dave Olsen (Nita) of Alamogordo; daughter Barb Moss (Glendon) of Yuma, AZ; grandchildren: Malia Jones of Yuma, AZ; Chad Moss of Gilbert, AZ; Jarilyn Butler (Joel) of Clovis, NM; Jill Gouker (John) of McKinney, TX; great grandchildren:  Taylor Jones, Jadon Jones, Landon Moss, Seth Gouker, Alec Gouker, and Natalie Butler.

The family is not planning any services at this time.

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