Joseph Olah

CMSgt Joseph Paul Olah, USAF, Retired, 85, died at Christus Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, LA on December 20, 2019. Joseph "Joe" Olah was born to Joseph and Elizabeth Merk Olah on February 6, 1934 in Bedford, Ohio. He graduated from Deming High School in New Lyme, Ohio where he was class valedictorian, president of the honor society, and a member of the baseball, basketball, and football teams. Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force in November 1953 and served for over 30 years, retiring at Barksdale Air Force Base in January 1985. His career as a Nuclear Weapons Manager took him around the world and to every U.S. state except Florida. While stationed at RAF Driffield in Yorkshire, England he met and married his wife, Marjorie Youngs. He successfully completed numerous military professional and technical courses and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Alan Hancock Junior College in 1959 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Chapman College, California in 1972. Joe served in multiple squadrons during his years of service including 351 Missile Maintenance Squadron, 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation Squadron, 15th Air Force, Pacific Air Force, and 8th Air Force. His numerous commendations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two devices, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters. After retirement from the Air Force, Joe continued his education, completing programs in electronics and computer repair at Northwest Louisiana Technical College where he earned a certificate of academic achievement. He enjoyed spending his time building and repairing computer systems, growing fruits and vegetables in his garden, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Alexander Olah; and sister in law, Sandra Olah. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie Youngs; children, Theresa Olah and her husband Steve Cain, Suzanne Olah, Jennifer Olah-Macevicius and her husband Daniel Macevicius; grandchildren, Alexandra Olah, Crystal Olah, and March Cain; brothers Steve Olah and his wife Flossie, his brother Alex's widow Trudy, Carl Olah and his wife Carolyn, and Paul Olah and his partner Christine Lipps; and sister Betty Hamilton and her husband Hugh. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Rose-Neath Chapel, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA. Reverend McKee Williams will be officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery, 797 Mike Clark Road, Keithville, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Disabled American Veterans would be appreciated.