George Chapin Olin, 81 of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday April 7, 2020 peacefully at his home. George was born in Grand Rapids Michigan to Sarah Emmer Bond Olin and Chapin Howard Olin on May 28, 1938. He went to school in Grand Rapids and graduated High School in December 1955. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy and was a member of the U.S. Navy Band from 1955-1959. After his Military Service he moved to Charleston, South Carolina where became the Principal Clarinetist with the Charleston Symphony from 1959 to 1962. He began his teaching career while in Music Education in Charleston County Schools from 1959-1961. In 1961 he moved to Manning, SC and became the Band Director at Manning High school, where he served for 30 years. Shortly after moving to Manning he married Lila Melle Holliday the local piano teacher on August 18. 1961 and they were happily married until her death on July 11, 2004. After her death, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart Maurine Nichols, and moved to Cleveland, Tennessee. They were happily married on January 22, 2006 until her death in March 12, 2018.
George received his education from The Navy School of Music in Washington DC, University of South Carolina, Francis Marion University, Appalachian State University and graduated from Vander Cook University in Chicago Illinois with his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education.
He was involved in Phi Beta Mu, an active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church, Cleveland Music Club, Lee University Wind Ensemble Cleveland Pops Community Band, and The Cleveland Woodwind Trio. He was also an avid South Carolina University Gamecock fan.
George received awards from The National Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Honorary Life membership in Tri-M Honorary Music Society.
George is preceded in death by his parents Chapin Howard and Sarah Emmer Bond Olin; stepmother Lorene Olin; brother Robert Milo Olin; 1st wife Lila Melle Holliday Olin, and 2nd wife Maurine Nichols Olin.
George is survived by his daughter Sarah “Ellen” Olin Perdue of Cleveland, TN; granddaughter Danielle Elizabeth Perdue of Mount Pleasant, SC; Bruce Perdue of Summerville SC. ; stepson David Nichols (Sherri)of Redmond, WA, step-granddaughter Susan Emily Nichols of Redmond, WA ;brother James Wycoff (Glenda) of Little River, SC; sister in-law Dr. Vivian L Holliday of Wooster, Ohio; brother in-law Louis Arlo Holliday Jr. (Gayle) of Beaufort, SC; and nephews “Hal” Louis Arlo Holliday III of Beaufort, SC; and Jeffrey Lee Holliday of Jacksonville, NC; 3 nieces and 5 nephews and 3 great nephews.
As generous as he was in life, George has donated his body to medical science in the hopes of helping others with their fight against Lewy Dementia.
Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Foundation, Scleroderma Foundation, ALS Association, Unity Program at Broad Street United Methodist Church, Manning High School Band, Lee University Wind Ensemble, Saint Jude’s Hospital or The Shriners Hospital.
The family of George wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Helping Hands of Cleveland and “his girls” that took care of him and he loved dearly- Sonya, Melony, Donna C., Denise, Veronique and Kaye. Sincere thanks also to Hospice of Chattanooga, Dr. Samir Rahbe and Dr. John Jaggers.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Broad Street United Methodist Church. Details will be announced later due to the Covid-19 quarantine. Arrangements will be made by Companion Funeral Home in Cleveland, Tennessee.
