Olmsted, Lewis "Jake" L.

Rev. Lewis “Jake” L. Olmsted was born April 13, 19 38 in Ottawa , Illinois . Jake had roots that began with a very interesting family. The name Olmsted first appeared in print in 1086 in the Doomsday Book. In 1632 the first Olmsted, James, left Essex , England on the ship Lyon with his two sons, brother and nieces. They were Puritans leaving England due to religious persecution. They settled in Boston , Massachusetts for one year then moved on and became the first settlers of Hartford , Connecticut . James Olmsted and his brother, Richard, were Surveyors of Land. The Olmsted men have fought in every war that America was involved in. The family became Methodist in the 1700's.

When Jake was five years old his family moved to Chicago where he attended grammar and high school. He joined the U. S. Air Force in July 1955 and married Sharon Garrett, his high school sweetheart, in April of 1956.

While Jake was in the Air Force he traveled to many countries and when allowed his wife and sons would join him. They lived in ten different states and in Italy for five years.

Upon retiring from the U. S. Air Force, Jake earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University . He then received a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Theological Seminary in Evanston , Illinois .

Jake entered into the retired relationship as an Elder in the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church . During Jake's ministry he served three churches: Thibodaux from 1980-1982, Leesville from 1982-1992 and Gretna from 1992-2001. Of his two careers Jake said, “The satisfaction of the first was that of serving his country, the rewards of the second are out of this world.”

Jake had several hobbies and took pride in caring for his lawn and plants. His favorite hobby was woodworking. He made several items for his sons and friends. He also enjoyed setting up his model train sets.

Jake lived a very exciting and full life. He possessed and practiced the Fruits of the Spirit. I believe that when he entered into Jesus' presence he was welcomed with, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Rev. Lewis “Jake” L. Olmsted passed away on Friday, December 4, 2009 at the age of 71. He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 53 years; sons, Daniel (wife Karen) of Mandeville, Louisiana and Donald of St. Louis, Missouri; granddaughters Shari and Cassie; and sisters Grace Akins of Lawrence, Georgia and Patricia Miller of Elk Grove, Illinois.

Sharon L. Olmsted