George Albert 'Al' Olcott

George Albert Olcott "Al", 81, passed away March 28, 2016 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was born September 20, 1934 in Washington, DC to Isabel and George Seitz. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and served aboard the USS Southerland. He was discharged in 1955. As a child he loved to take apart radios and put them together again. He obtained one of the first televisions in Los Angeles and kept it working for the enjoyment of family and neighbors. This interest in electronics led to his appreciation for ham radio. He obtained the ‘expert' designation, a high level of skill, receiving many awards and recognition for his abilities. Al's call sign was K7ICW. Al eventually settled in Las Vegas, Nevada where he and his former wife Virginia raised their son Todd. His career was primarily working in Las Vegas for the Department of Energy contractors (EG&G Special Projects, Bechtel, etc.) as a senior design drafter. In 1984 he met his wife Beverlie while on vacation country dancing in south California. They discovered they had attended the same high school, University High School in West Los Angeles, though not at the same time. After marriage in 1986 they continued their mutual love of dancing as much as possible. In the 1990's they bought a cabin in the mountains of south Utah Duck Creek area where they spent many weekends and vacations escaping the heat of Las Vegas. Al even had a small "ham shack" where he could operate his ham radios. Upon retirement Al and Bev moved in 2005 to Las Cruces, New Mexico. On 1 acres Al could enjoy his love of gardening and ham radio. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Dennis Seitz. Survivors include his wife Beverlie, son Todd (Olcott) and wife Lucy of Las Vegas, NM; sister Bonnie and husband Bryan (Thompson) of Delta, Colorado. Al will receive a full military service and interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The family is very grateful for the care and support of the staff at Village at Northrise, Desert Willow Memory Care Unit in Las Cruces, NM during the last year of Al's life. They request that donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association New Mexico Chapter 125 N. Main St. Las Cruces, NM 88001.