Olinger, Michael Dale

Michael Dale Olinger, 53, formerly of Blacksburg, recently of Los Angeles, Calif., passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2012. He was born on April 16, 1958, in Blacksburg, to Freddie B. Olinger and the late Helen Gallagher Olinger. Mike was graduated from Blacksburg High School and Virginia Tech. He is survived by his father, Freddie B. Olinger, of Blacksburg; his sister, Joan Olinger and her children, Cody Beach and Dillon Olinger, all of Powhatan. He is also survived by his stepmother, Gail; and three stepsisters and their husbands, Heather and Mark Kaifer, Kristina and Jeff Livasy, and Jessica and Ryan Schmidt. Also surviving are his uncles, Jack Gallagher and his wife, Ruby, and Rickie Buck and his wife, Pat; a special cousin, Donna Cox; along with several other cousins; and special friend, Matthew Frederick, of San Fancisco, Calif. He is predeceased by his grandmothers, Rachel Olinger Hancock and Helen Carper Buck, grandfather, C. Eugene Gallagher, and step grandfather, Arthur J. Buck. Mike’s love of horses began at eight years old when his parents bought his first pony. He carried his love of horses throughout his professional life. He was an International Arabian Horse Judge. He bred and raised award winning, National quality Arabian horses at his ranch in California. Mike enjoyed traveling to many countries. He was very interested in family and town history and loved spending time on the New River. While on his visits home to Blacksburg, he took great pleasure in spending time with his family and friends. The family will receive friends at the McCoy Funeral Home on Saturday, April 7, 2012, from noon to 2:00 p.m. A Graveside Memorial Service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the McIntyre House, 544 N. Kenmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004, or to Angiosarcoma Awareness, Inc., P.O. Box 570442, Whitestone, NY 11357 (www.cureasc.org). Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.