Kenneth L. Olsen

Kenneth Lloyd Olsen, 77, passed away peacefully at his home on November 24, 2022. He was born on September 4, 1945 in Miami Beach, Florida. His father, Oscar Olsen, perished in the Pan American China Clipper crash, before Ken’s birth. His mother, Mary Rita Olsen (Hurley), later remarried Anacleto Camassa, who became a father to Ken and his sisters.

Ken grew up in the Pinecrest area of Miami. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 1963. He was an Eagle Scout and an All-Star Baseball player, recruited out of high school by several teams, including the Chicago White Sox. Ken declined a baseball career, but forever told stories of his days on the field.

He earned a degree in History from the University of Miami. His diverse activities ranged from student government, fraternal, debate, ROTC, and even a Russian dance troupe. While at UM, he met the love of his life, Rose. Ken began law school at the University of Florida. After his first year, Ken and Rose were married on June 22nd (a date shared by 3 of their 5 children). The next year, their first child was born. Ken finished law school at the University of Miami where he commanded the ROTC Brigade.

In 1970, he began his legal career with the large firm of Blackwell, Walker, & Grey, in Miami. The firm put him on a military leave of absence, to serve in the U.S. Army, JAG Corp, which included a volunteer assignment to Vietnam. He was stationed in Ft. Polk and then served as the staff Judge Advocate for Holmstead. After discharge, he returned to the firm. In 1976, Ken moved his family to Tampa, for a position at the firm of Miller & McKendree. His association with that firm led to Miller, McKendree, Somers, & Olsen, and eventually his sole practice, The Olsen Law Firm.

Ken was an AV-rated trial attorney who had a long legal career filled with many accolades and prestigious clients. He was a member of the American, Florida, and Hillsborough County Bar, a member of Ferguson-White Inns of Court, a certified court mediator, and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ken has traveled the world, and enjoyed experiences from trekking through the Amazon to walking the Great Wall of China. He was fluent or proficient in several languages. He was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. He was a member of both Sacred Heart and Corpus Christi churches. He was a prior member of several clubs and organizations, but those most important to him centered on his ecumenical Christian groups. Ken spent several years attending Friday morning bible study at Palma Ceia Country Club, before starting an ecumenical leadership group, The Christian Forum, which held its first meeting in 2001, and has continued to meet to this day.

Ken’s faith and family meant everything to him. Ken and Rose were married for 54 years, and had five children. Their house was the center of family gatherings and always full of visitors. It is only fitting that his last day was on Thanksgiving, where he led the family in their mealtime prayer.

Ken is survived by his wife, Rose, 5 children Laura (Matthew) Glass of Tampa, Charlotte (Paul) Maddox of Tampa, Eve (Lee) Smith of Charlotte, NC; Kara (Chris) Tubbs of Tampa, and Mark (Jennifer) Olsen of Tampa; 12 grandchildren J.W. (Victoria), David, & Campbell Glass; Parker, Cole, & Miles Maddox; Hunter, Erick, & Maddie Tubbs; Grace, Gregory, and Mary Olsen; 1 great-grandchild, Clark Glass, and his sister Nancy Lee Thompson (John) of Winter Park, FL. He was pre-deceased by his sister Priscilla Hamilton.

A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Downtown Tampa on Wednesday, December 7th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club.

In lieu of flowers a donation to LifePath Hospice can be made or for those who wish to send flowers to the church, please schedule delivery the day of to arrive at 9am.