Delbert Raymond Olds

Delbert Raymond Olds passed away on February 4, 2026 at the age of 88 in Niceville, Florida. He was born on February 26, 1937 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Donald Everett Olds and Lucielle Irene Colclesser Olds.

Delbert pursued electrical engineering and sonar, taking various college courses and earning many certifications. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. During his working years, he was a civil electrical engineer and built houses, including the home he shared with his wife and kids in Panama City. He had a long and successful federal engineering career at Navy Coastal Systems Station where he received many acknowledgements and awards.

In his free time, Delbert enjoyed fishing, sports cars, and gardening. He loved animals and built an aviary that, at one point, housed up to 100 birds. He was a very gracious, giving, and humble man. He was a wonderful father and grandfather who made sure his children and grandchildren never went without and had a means for further education. He was a faithful husband to Mary Evelyn Freeman Olds for 64 years. He took care of his wife so that she could remain at home until her passing. Delbert was known for his “sweet tooth.” He enjoyed his morning coffee, playing with his grandson, and sitting on his porch and people watching.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents Lucille and Donald Olds; wife Mary Evelyn Olds; infant son Brian Olds; and daughter SMSgt Sherry Lynn Olds. He is survived by his siblings Patricia Olds, Barbara Olds, Carol Olds, Donald J.R. Olds, and Sharon Olds; daughters Kimberly Ann Zimmerman, Marcy Gayle Cornett, and Christa Gay DeGracia; grandchildren Pamela Gayle Zimmerman, Carl James Zimmerman, Melissa Ann Comelek, Ryan Matthew Zimmerman, Charles M. Zimmerman, Timothy Roy Zimmerman, Bradley Keith Cornett, Aria D. Gaia, Amanda Nicole Fox, Keiko Danelle Clancy, and Michelle Dawn Cornett; great-grandson Robert (Teddy) Theodore Comelek, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Delbert will be joining his wife Mary Evelyn at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Panama City, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Sherry Lynn Olds ROTC Award and Scholarship Fund at Mosley Crawford High School.

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