JB Olinde, 90, Dies

April 8, 2015  by in Industry, Obituaries   

Born in New Roads, La., on Dec. 18,1924, Olinde lived in Baton Rouge for nearly 70 years. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margery Ogden Johnson Olinde and seven children: Elsie "Pandy" Olinde Bleich and husband Joe, Joseph B. "Beau" Olinde Jr. and wife Cheryl, Dr. Andrew Olinde and wife Tereasa, Thomas Olinde, current president of Olinde’s, and wife Cheryl, John Olinde and wife Nancy, Elizabeth Olinde Coleman and husband Robert, Margery "Katie" Olinde Belcher. Olin is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Humphrey Theodore Olinde Sr. and Elsie Heck Olinde, and brother Humphrey T. Olinde Jr. Surviving siblings include sisters Patricia Laurent and Elizabeth Wilson and brothers Dr. Henry Olinde, Dr. Alfred Olinde and Christopher Olinde. 

Prior to his retirement, Olinde was president of B. Olinde and Sons Co., Inc., Olinde Hardware & Supply Co., and Brown Brokerage Co. He was a founder and board member of Guaranty Bancshares, New Roads, La., and Baton Rouge Bancshares, Baton Rouge, La. He was also a member of the board of directors of Hancock Bank of Louisiana. He served on General Electric's first National Dealer Council. His company was cited as "Furniture Retailer of the Year" twice. He was president of the Greater Baton Rouge Furniture Dealers Association and a member of Young President's Organization. He was an active member in numerous civic organizations, including president of the Baton Rouge Civitan Club, vice president of Baton Rouge Junior Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, and the Louisiana State Bar Association. He was selected into the Louisiana State University Foundation, Chancellor's Council—LSU Law School, chaired the Istrouma Area Council Boy Scout Fund Drive and served on the BSA Advisory Board.

He was valedictorian of his high school and elected senior class president, and chosen winner of the scholastic medal for his parish and the tri-parish. Olin entered LSU in 1941. His studies were interrupted by World War II, but he returned in 1946 to take classes in business administration. He graduated LSU Law School in 1949 with LLB (JD). While at LSU, he was in the College of Commerce Honor fraternity, president of ODK leadership fraternity, Moot Court Board, finals in Moot Court competition, Louisiana Law Review, voted outstanding law student of his senior class and president of his law fraternity.

Olinde volunteered for US Army in 1943. After basic training in California, he was selected for Infantry DCS in Ft. Benning, Ga. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant and served as Heavy Weapons Infantry Company Commander. He was part of the 2nd Battalion 23rd Infantry Regiment (63rd Infantry Division) that fought on the front lines in Europe in World War II and received the Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism. Olinde was awarded two Bronze Stars with Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as Campaign and Battle ribbons. He served in the four-power occupation of Austria and remained in Army Reserve until the end of the Korean War. Olinde was inducted into the Ole War Skule Hall of Honor. 

Visitation will be Friday, April 10, at 1 p.m. until the service at 2:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2021 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.