Obituary of James Robert Olech

James Olech, age 77, passed on January 18, 2024, at Tucson Medical Center. Jim was born February 1946, at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse, New York.

Jim Olech is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Mark and two grandchildren, Gavin and Luke.

As a child he grew up in Syracuse, N.Y. with his parents Frank and Madgie Olech and three siblings Linda, Donald and Susan Olech.  Upon college graduation in 1967, he married his high school sweetheart Susan Edelmann. Unfortunately, the marriage ended after seven years due to long separations overseas during active military service.

Jim was retired from the U.S. Border Patrol with 23 years of service as a Patrol Agent, Supervisory Criminal Investigator, Headquarters Associate Chief Patrol Agent and finally as an Assistant Chief in Tucson. He served in Texas, Washington, D.C. and Arizona.  After his five and one-half years’ service in the Air Force, and prior to the Border Patrol, he worked for two years at Corning Glassworks in Big Flats N.Y. as a hot glass supervisor of scientific glassware. He completed a B.S in Chemistry in 1967 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1977.

Jim served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and flew as an Electronic Warfare Officer in B-52s during the Vietnam War. He earned several combat metals including the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple air medals.

While serving as a criminal investigator with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Jim met the beautiful love of his life, Alice, in Washington, D.C.  After their marriage and the birth of their wonderful daughter, the family moved to Tucson, AZ where he eventually retired in 1997.

During retirement he loved volunteering and helping other people including the Boy Scouts, the Masons and a dear friend Catholic priest. Jim was a very supportive husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending time teaching his grandchildren about all the important things in life. He always made time for his family, imparting his vast love and knowledge upon them.

Jim’s favorite philosophy of life is summed up in two short euphemisms.  “DO IT NOW” & “MAKE IT HAPPEN.” He always endeavored to leave people better off than he found them. Jim’s amazing spirit and generosity will forever be missed by his friends and loved ones.