George J. Olman

George John Olman passed away peacefully on September 28th surrounded by family after a ten-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his dedicated, loving wife Gloria (Grove), whom he excitedly married on February 29, 1964. George is also survived by their children, Brian (Renea) Olman, Lynne (Bernard) Lourim and Michael (Peter Hayashida) Olman; grandchildren Jacob (Emma) Lourim, Harrison (Jessica) Lourim, Emily Lourim and Joshua (Claudia) Olman; and three great grandchildren. Other treasured relatives include sister-in-law Jane (Grove) Martin, brother-in-law John Barr, nieces and nephews Todd (Kelly) Petrocella, Dawn (Brian) Peters, Greg (Linda) Schaub and Jerry Liquia, along with many great-nieces and great-nephews. George was predeceased by his parents Earl and Ellen Olman, sister Georgia Schaub Barr and niece Angela Schaub Liquia. Growing up in Traverse City, George graduated from Traverse City Central in 1957 and continued to enjoy monthly lunch gatherings with his treasured high school friends until his passing. He enjoyed many school activities, excelled on the football, basketball and baseball teams and ultimately earned several academic scholarships. George earned degrees from Northwestern Michigan College, Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University. He began his 43 year teaching and coaching career at Almont High School from 1961-1963, moving to Cousino High School from 1963-1969. There he became head football and track coach, JV basketball coach and athletic director. He spent the remainder of his career teaching math at Grosse Pointe North High School, while also serving as an assistant coach of the varsity football team and head coach of the ninth grade, JV and varsity basketball teams, winning several honors along the way. He retired in 2004. George loved spending time with grandchildren Jake, Harrison and Emily Lourim. He helped coach the boys’ little league football and basketball teams, and enjoyed Emily’s dance recitals and more than 37 theatrical performances. Together, George and Gloria enjoyed many lovingly loud family dinners featuring his famous barbecued ribs and chicken. For almost 50 years, George maintained a huge vegetable garden, with plenty to share. Four hundred feet of fences, eight feet high, kept the deer out, and he watched carefully to stop woodchucks from enjoying the bounty. Visitation will be at Wujek-Calcaterra funeral home, 36900 Schoenherr Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48312, on Saturday, October 7th from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the George J. Olman Scholarship Fund at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, MI (https.//NMC.edu/about/foundation/giving/give.html)

George J. Olman

June 21, 1939 - September 28, 2023