Obituary of Michael E. Olmstead

Michael E. Olmstead passed away August 31, 2023, in Lacey, Washington, after a sudden onset of a lingering illness.  He was born May 30, 1966, to Lloyd and Joan Olmstead in Burien, Washington. He spent a lot of time traveling the country with his parents in his childhood. He lived in the Seattle/Tacoma area most of his adult life and moved to Lacey last year to take care of his mother after his stepfather became sick and passed away.

 

Michael graduated from Evergreen High School in Burien. He was employed in the eyeglasses field his entire adult life. He perfected his craft while working for Western Optical, Hoya Optical and Sound Optical before becoming an AR Technician at Jorgenson Optical in Tacoma. He enjoyed learning new professional skills and people loved working with him. He always carried a special sense of humor.

 

Michael was a caring, kind, and a hilariously sarcastic person. He always seemed to laugh in the worst moments and was good at making others around him laugh. He was also a very deep person who had tremendous strength. He believed in the energy throughout the universe and in space. Michael was a realist. One of his favorite sayings was “It is what it is.”

 

Michael loved spending time with his daughter, his grandchildren, good friends, and his many dogs over the years, most recently Vito and JoJo. He also loved riding motorcycles, watching and reciting funny commercials, collecting old vintage cool items, and listening to good music; Waylon Jennings was a favorite.

 

Michael fought as hard as he could for his life until the very end. But now he is in peace, feeling no more pain. Finally, his body and soul can rest. He was one of a kind, somebody you just had to know. He will be greatly missed by those left behind. 

 

He is survived by his only child, daughter Cassandra Olmstead; two grandchildren, Audrey and Liam; his mother, Joan Olmstead; and half-brother, David. He was predeceased by his father, Lloyd Olmstead; stepfather, Patrick Murphy; and best friends, Ronnie Nelson, Brian Jones, Dean Mitchell and Pat Brady.

 

Rest in Peace Michael. May you continue to Ride On in Heaven.

 

A wake will be scheduled for a later time. 

 

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