Daniel Olinger

At his home surrounded by family, Daniel Lee Olinger entered fully into the presence of the Lord on January 31, 2022.  He was 63 years old.

Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dan came to Selma after high school to play basketball for a local community college.  Soon thereafter, he made Dallas County his home when he met and immediately fell in love with Selma native, Cheryl Jowers.  The two married in the summer of 1977, and spent the next 44 years by each other’s side.

Dan was a true family man, and his family was his greatest joy.  He was devoted to his wife, he treasured his daughters, and he especially loved his role as Pawpaw.  He was an American history enthusiast and an avid outdoorsman who took great pleasure in hunting, raising horses, and caring for the many animals that lived on his beloved Eight Oaks Ranch over the years.

For decades, Dan was a well-respected law enforcement officer.  Prior to his retirement, he took great pride in his efforts to justly enforce the laws and to keep the people of his community safe.

He was a man of unshakable conviction, and he loved the Lord with all his heart.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Olinger; special aunt and uncle, Calvin and Mary Bear; and father and mother-in-law, DP and Marjorie Barnes Jowers.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Jowers Olinger; daughters, Christy Olinger Edwards and Dawn Elisabeth Olinger; grandson, Daniel Lee Edwards; son-in-law, John Matthew Durdin; mother, Frances Olinger; brothers, Timothy (Julie) Olinger and Mark (Marie) Olinger; special step-grandson, Wilson Durdin; nephews, Robert (Sydney) Olinger and John Alan (Katy) Olinger; nieces, Lara Olinger and Hannah Olinger; and several cousins.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ronald (Maudis) Jowers; sister-in-law, Glenda Osborn; and several other nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, February 6, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow at a later date.