Brian "Bud" Olmsted
1940 - 2023
Brian Frederick Olmsted passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on his 83rd birthday.
Brian was born in Marquette, Michigan to Frank Elmer and Eva Florence (LaMontagne) Olmsted. He graduated from Redford High School in Detroit, Michigan in 1959 where he was on championship teams in both football and track. He attended college at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where he met his wife, Ann Jarvis. On June 11, 1966, they were married in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He became a plumber and joined Detroit Local 98 where he was a member of the union for 57 years. He retired from Chrysler Trenton Engine in 2005. The family moved to Monroe, Michigan in 1977 and joined St. Michael Church. Bud was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a strong supporter of Monroe High School athletics.
Bud was a loyal friend and often traveled all over the state to visit family and friends for all their lives. He nurtured lifelong friendships and was always the one to get his childhood friends together as they had become family. He was an avid fan of U of M football and the Detroit Tigers. He was proud of growing up in Detroit and called himself the “Motown Man”. His favorite place in Detroit was Riverside Park near the Ambassador Bridge, where he watched the ore freighters go by and then enjoyed a Coney dog and an ice-cold Vernors. Bud loved Western movies, the outdoors, camping, and was always a cowboy at heart. He is fondly remembered for his heartwarming laughter which was contagious.
He was a steadfast and supportive husband for 57 years. He was a devoted father to his five children and encouraged them in all their endeavors. Bud is survived by his wife Ann and his children Frank and Matthew Olmsted of Monroe, Michigan, Michelle (Lloyd) Montoya of Boise, Idaho, Marian (Shane) Smith of Viera, Florida, and Monica (Steven) Evans of Monroe, Michigan. He leaves four grandchildren-Miles Gunn and Maya Evans, Maddie Montoya, and Garrett Smith, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Sharron (Phil) Metz of Howell, Michigan, sisters-in-law Jean Olmsted of Milford, Michigan, MaryAnn Olmsted of Huntington Woods, Michigan, and Jane (Norman) Coleman of Oak Park, Illinois. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Allen and Robert, his nephew Michael Paul Olmsted, and his granddaughter, Eva Suzanne Smith.
The family would like to thank the staff of ProMedica Monroe Hospice for their care and support over the past several months. A church service in memory of Brian will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at St. Michael the Archangel Church located at 502 W. Front St. Monroe, Michigan 48161. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Mass at 11:00 a.m. A reception to celebrate his life will be held immediately following. The burial will take place on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery located at 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd. in Southfield, Michigan 48033 for anyone wishing to attend.
*Please enter the cemetery using the 10 Mile Road entrance.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Parkinsons Foundation. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory; Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.merklefs.com.
Ken Barna
"Bud" Olmstead was a member of our championship football team of 1958. One of my memories of Bud on the field, was the Cooley game, when he broke away around left end for a sixty plus yard run. That set up our first touchdown of the game.
He was unselfish, and always put the team first. On a social note, at our Senior Prom, while I was at the refreshment table, I heard someone say; "Ken, come over here". It was Bud standing in a corner. When I went over to see what he wanted, he pulled out a flask of whiskey, and we both had a swig. I never forgot that episode, and to me, it showed what a great classmate he was.
Bud always had a smile, and it was genuine. A truly wonderful friend.
Cameron B. Howie
You could see that famous smile from across the room....who else, but Bud Olmstead! The Obit did a very fine job of what Bud was all about and how his world was always giving his very best....Sincerely, Butch Howie,an RHS Track and Field Classmate.