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OLONA -- Thomas Joseph Olona, 55, a resident of Houston, Texas, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2010. He is survived by his children, Jeanette Olona-Kelley of Houston, Texas, and Thomas Josh Olona and his wife Trisha Teske of Oregon City, Oregon; his grandchildren Jeannae Kelley, Dominic Kelley, Raphael Kelley, Riley Teske-Olona, and Kyiah Teske-Olona. Tom is also survived by his parents, Orlando and Melba Olona; his brothers, Jerry, Michael, Arthur, Mark, Nick, Paul, Jeff; and his sisters, Catherine Olona and Sophia Garcia, along with numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his brothers, Timmy and Steve Olona; and his grandparents, Ben and Anita Dimas. Tom was a 1974 graduate of Valley High School, Albuquerque, NM. He also earned degrees from Albuquerque TVI, Albuquerque, NM, and San Jacinto Community College, Houston, TX. Tom worked for Houston Lighting and Power, Houston, TX for 21 years. Most recently he worked for the United States Postal Service in Houston, Texas. Tom was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, and served as a Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. In May of 1978, the Division was alerted for a possible drop in Zaire; and again in November of 1979, the Division was alerted for a possible operation to rescue the American hostages in Iran. The Division formed the nucleus for the newly-created Rapid Deployment Forces, a mobile force at a permanently high state of readiness. He earned the Parachutist Badge, Expert Badge M-16, Mechanics Badge, Humanitarian Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Tom will be remembered as a loving son, brother, an inspirational father, unconditional loving grandpa, and a loyal friend. A Rosary will be recited Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Salazar & Sons Mortuary, 400 Third St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 at 1:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be officiated by Monsignor Richard Olona, on Monday, April 5, 2010 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 1860 Griegos NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. The reception will immediately follow Mass. The Pallbearers are Josh, Michael, Arthur, Mark, Nick, Paul, and Jeff Olona. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM, 87501, at 2:30 p.m. Salazar & Sons Mortuary 400 Third St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 is in charge of funeral arrangements, 247-4124. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United States Organization (USO), whose mission is "to bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform, until everyone comes home", at www.uso.org, in Tom's name.
        Published on: Sun April 04, 2010