Paul Stephen Olds at the age of 74 passed away peacefully with open arms to meet up with his wife Georgia on Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024, in Dubuque, Iowa.

A Memorial Mass for Paul and his wife Georgia who passed on April 16, 2018, will be at 11:00 a.m. on March 12, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Fr. Steven Rosonke officiating. Family and friends may visit after 9:00 a.m. at the church until the time of mass. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legions Post #6 for Paul. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road is assisting the family.

Paul was born January 22, 1950, the son of Larry and Esther (Rinker) Olds, in Dubuque, Iowa, Paul met the love of his life, Georgia J Bennett, at Dubuque Senior when he was 17, they married at Sacred Heart Church, Dubuque, Iowa, on September 5, 1970. The would go on to share and celebrate over 47 years of marriage together until Georgia’s passing on April, 16, 2018 at home in Dubuque, Iowa with Paul, by her side.

Paul graduated from Dubuque Senior High School and joined the Navy on September 10, 1969 as Aviation Structural Mechanic. Over the next 21 years was stationed with his loving wife in Patuxent River Maryland, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Jasonville Florida, Norfolk Virginia aboard the USS Eisenhower CVN-69, and Rantoul Illinois, and eventually moved back to Dubuque after he retired from the Navy at the prestigious rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1991. Paul received his Associates of Science Degree and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, three Navy Achievement Medals, five Good Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Medals. He also qualified as a Naval Air crewman on the P2V7 Neptune, Navy Master Training Specialist, and Air Force Master Instructor.

Paul was an amazing man to know and to be friends with. He was a needed father to some and a mentor to others. He loved to make people smile, and to talk to them about his many adventures with Georgia through the Navy and especially on their 24 cruises they took exploring the world reaching 5 Continents. He had just returned from his first cruise with both his sons just before he passed. He had many hobbies and everyone knew him for his craftsmanship with stained glass.  If you touched his heart in any way, then you have something special he made you hanging in a window or on a wall to fill your heart with joy and love.  He also proudly made the stained glass ”The Navy Seal” that is on permanent loan to the Navy Recruit Training command, and is displayed at Battle Stations 21, where every sailor in the Navy, since 2016 has recited the Sailors Creed in front of.  Paul will always live in our hearts for being the best of men. Paul- “We Have the Watch”

He is survived by his two sons, Anthony “Tony” (Kristina) Bohr, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jonathan “Jonny” (Jodi) Olds of Ingleside, IL. Three Grandchildren, Jacob Bohr, Brandon Olds, and Avija Olds. His Siblings David Olds of California and Ester Perry of Dubuque, along with many cousin’s, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceded in death by his Parents Lawrence and Ester Olds, his wife Georgia Olds, and his sister Phyllis Sullivan.

In lieu of flowers a Paul Olds memorial fund will be established.