Malcolm LaVerne Olds

Long time Plymouth resident, Malcolm (Mickey/Mick-Mouse/Inkster) L. Olds, passed away February 9, with friends and family around him at his home.

He came roaring into this world February 19, 1935. Born to (the late) LaVerne and Irene Olds in their small home in Almont, Michigan. He was the youngest of the family, joining his elder brother Roderick "Red" Olds (deceased) and his sister Marguerite "Marge" Kuly (also deceased). When he was born, he was so small they had to use grandpa‘s handkerchief for his diapers and the doctors prescribed beer for him to help him put on weight - That may have set a precedence for the rest of his life.

If they had only known…

His was a life that spread almost 90 years and saw so much of his world change. He kept learning, changing, and evolving as well right up to the end. From his early childhood he gained his strong work ethic starting at five years old on the family farm. His love, respect, and honor for his parents began there and remained deep and abiding his entire life. He often told the story of how they had used their last 5 dollars to get married, noting they didn’t need more than they had; each other. 

In his early adult years he joined the Navy, twice, and learned the trade of salvage and rescue diver. (Some of his stories have effectively kept more than one family member out of the ocean.) He made lifelong friends in the Navy and still enjoyed talking with the ones still around, swapping stories and reminiscing. During and after he left his service years behind, his love affair with motorcycles began in earnest and continued for the rest of his life.

Then came the 60’s….And the fun really started! After a brief ‘James Dean” period, Mickey eventually became an eclectic mix of bad-ass biker and free-loving, long haired hippy. He often said he’d try any drug once (twice if he liked it) and could always be counted on to be the first one to see a good-looking woman walking his way (or away from him. “sometimes the view is better”). And Mickey loved a beautiful woman – in fact, all of them – and he let them know every chance he got.

He married in the 60’s and gained his daughter Stacy (Olds Schriener) Craig who sadly predeceased him last February. His surviving daughter, Tonda, has said she’s almost positive Stacy was avoiding clearing out Dad’s house – If you know, you, know!

He loved both his daughters immensely. While at times they may not have always taken his wisdom and lessons with as much grace as they may have, they always knew Dad was telling them his truth. And there was never a question of his love for them.

That was a core part of the man: A straight shooter (figuratively and literally), he didn’t sugar coat the truth and was sure give you his opinion. He often had a hair-trigger temper, but he was equally as quick to offer and accept an apology.

When his beloved mother began to show her years, he moved in and fulfilled her wish to age in her home. He cared for her until her passing in the house he would eventually also pass away in. 

Throughout his life, Mickey always had a helping hand out to friends, family and strangers. A little tinkering on a car to help someone get to work, teaching a neighbor to lay tile floors, fronting a $20 for a bag, stopping to change a pretty girls’ tire…he didn’t want anything in return, he just didn’t like to see things go undone if he could help get it done. 

After he retired, he became a fixture throughout Plymouth walking his cherished dog, April. He covered thousands of miles through the neighborhoods of Lower Town and downtown and all points between. April filled a spot in his heart and life that brought him years of joy. They could be seen for 14 years walking at all times and speaking to everyone he met. 

When April got older, their walks got shorter. Sometimes he had to carry April the last couple of blocks, but he didn’t mind..it’s what you do when you love someone, he would say. His love went so far that when she didn’t want to come into the house in her last days, in true Mickey fashion he took his sleeping bag outside and lay in the yard with her. 

After April, it took a number of years, but eventually his girl Sarah came to him and in the same way they made their way through town, just a bit slower and a bit shorter walks. Although his years had begun to catch up to him too, he showed the same love and devotion to Sarah as he had April. Taking her to acupuncture and laser therapy appointments became his priorities and he did everything he could to keep her comfy and happy until she too passed over the rainbow bridge.

Mickey still walked his old paths for years without a fur baby at his side. Still talking to passerby’s, making friends and greeting strangers not too put off by the old, long-haired dude. Still offering help where he could. His family and friends attempted to talk him into a smaller dog in his later years, but there was just no replacing his two big, fluffy gals.

While some people may wear their hearts on their sleeves, Mickey wore his entire life illustrated over most of his body. Beginning during his years in the Navy, Mickey documented much of his experiences with tattoos of significance to him. As he and the art aged, he began to cover the old blue tats with more colorful and elaborate pieces from his all-time favorite (and officially acclaimed ‘family tattoo artist’) artist Trish. She and Mickey spent many hours in her shop - Trish making her art and Mickey entertaining the staff with his stories and anecdotes. If he had any regrets before he passed it may have been for that ‘one more’ tattoo. But in all honesty, the family all agree that would have been his regret had he lived to 150; there’s always room for one more!

Mickey entered into Hospice services this past November. When given the 6–12-month prognosis his first response was “Any way to shorten that up?”. He was fully aware that his body was giving out on him even as his mind stayed as clear as an 89-yr old brain can be. He was still on his couch seeing friends in between naps the Friday before his passing.

He didn’t want his last days to be a burden to anyone but also wanted to die in his home. With the support of his daughter Tonda and nieces Susan Olds & Pam Olds, he was able to meet both of those goals with as much dignity and grace as possible. 

He met the end the way he lived his life: In his own way and on his own terms and a slight haze of smoke in the room.

Mickey is survived by his daughter, Tonda Olds, granddaughters Mary Getz andMeagen (Waterson) Symons, 5 great-grandchildren (Lea Symons, Jacob Symons, Kyle Symons, Emma Symons & Ba-ba (Alexander) Getz), many nieces & nephews and an uncountable number of people who called him brother. 

At the time of his passing, he no longer believed in the concepts of heaven or hell: He wasn’t going to either, he was simply going on. Per his wishes, he has already been cremated and no formal funeral will be held. His ashes will be combined with his two best girls prior to internment. There will be a memorial in late spring when there is better riding weather, and a large bonfire can be lit in his memory. 

So, in honor of a man who broke many of the molds and more of the stereotypes; Tip your hat, raise your glass, light your joint or rev up those Harleys….An era has ended but the legend will live on!

Tonda would like to express her heartfelt gratitude to the many neighbors and friends that helped make Dad’s last months as comfortable and safe as possible. You provided her with peace of mind and the comfort that there were many eyes watching over him. 

To cousins Pam Olds & Sue Olds; I couldn’t have asked for better cousins and surrogate sisters to help me and Dad. He (and I) love and thank you for the love and honor you showed him.

And finally, to Chaz, you coming home for Dad meant a lot to him, and everything to me. 

If you would like to honor his memory, he asked that a donation be made in his name to any of the following organizations:

Huron Valley Humane Society (Sarah came from here)

Hospice of Michigan

Disabled American Vets