Esco Olinger, 79, of Decatur, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Roselawn Funeral Home will announce services on a later date. Esco is survived by his wife, Joan Slaten Olinger; sons, Jim Olinger, Tim Olinger (Deana), Phil Olinger (Mary Gail), and David Olinger (Missy); 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Lively Olinger and his father, Raymond Esco Olinger. Esco was retired from Champion Paper Mill. He was a Christian man who loved his God and family. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of North Alabama.
Richard Allen
Esco was a Gordon-Bibber, an all round good guy, and friend all through grammar school. At least one time he invited me to go home with him after school. His family lived in an apartment over what was then V.J. Elmore's on Second Avenue. I remember his mother as a good natured lady who gave us milk and cookies.
In those days not long after WWII big apartment complexs wewe nonexistant, and many buildings on Second Avenue had retail stores on the frist floor an apartments on the second.
As is so often the case, I lost touch with Esco after graduation and did not see him again until our 25th or 30th reunion, but he was still the same friendly Esco. My wife reminded me that while I was in Vietnam, she took our first child to Esco for her first birtday picture that hangs in our hallway.
Esco took a class photo at that reunion that I still look at once in awhile. I remember thinking then how old we looked and how much weight most of us had put on. Even older now, and no less thinner, I have good memories of the Class of '59 and especially the Gordon-Bibb contingent. Richard Allen
Mary Jean Fennell (Williams)
I remember Esco as being a very thoughtful, quiet, and likeable student. He spearheaded the 50th reunion photographing session and blessed us with a good result! He was a talented photographer! Thank you, Esco, for being a vital part of our 1959 class.
Douglas Ann Thrasher (Livingston . )
I HAVE MANY GOOD MEMORIES OF ESCO IN SCHOOL AND AFTERWARDS. HE ALWAYS HAD A BIG SMILE FOR EVERYONE AND WAS A VERY NICE GUY. HE WAS SUCH A KIND , SWEET PERSON. I REMEMBER HIS WIFE , JOAN, BEING THE SAME SWEET PERSON AND THAT THEY SHARED A SPECIAL -LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. I AM SO SORRY FOR ESCOS FAMILYS LOSS AND PRAY THAT EACH OF THEM WILL FEEL THE PRESENCE OF THE SAVIOR HIS COMFORT AND HIS PEACE IN THIS TIME OF GRIEF.
DOUGLAS ANN