Richard E. Olmstead

JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. — Richard E. Olmsted, on the ordinary date of Friday, October 2, 2015, an extraordinary man passed in the hands of the Lord.

Richard was born in White Stone, N.Y., and raised in Stamford, Conn. Upon high school graduation Richard entered the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. After his military service Richard was a firefighter and Fire Marshall for the Turn of River Fire Department in Stamford, Conn.

In 1978, Richard moved to Bridgton with his wife Margaret and daughter Kimberly. While in Bridgton he was a member, deacon, and youth group leader at the First Congregational Church. Additionally, Richard was a member of the Bridgton Lions Club, where he also served as a King Lion and planned and worked many different fundraisers. Richard retired from Dearborn Precision in Fryeburg in Sept. 2012. Immediately upon retirement Richard and Margaret moved to Jefferson City, Tenn.

Unfortunately, Richard spent his last two and a half years fighting a strong battle against cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Elizabeth Olmsted, and brother, David A. Olmsted Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Marge; a daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Michael Jennings; a granddaughter, Madison Jennings; a brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Judy Olmsted; a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and William Martin; a niece and several nephews.

There will be a private graveside service in Jefferson City, Tenn., with full military honors. A dinner celebrating Richard’s life will be held in Chantilly, Va., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in his honor to the Gary Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org or sent to Gary Sinise Foundation, P.O. Box 50008, Studio City, CA 91614-5001.

Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN 37760, (865) 475-3892, www.farrarfuneralhome.com