Ollie Caplin, Jr. of Somerset, Kentucky passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the age of 91.  He was born and raised in Harlan County, Kentucky. 

Ollie began work at a young age, selling newspapers on the street corners of Harlan.  Other jobs included working at Pennington’s grocery store, lifeguarding at the local swimming pool and mixing mortar to lay brick for “Little Johnny”.  He attended Harlan High School where he excelled in football, basketball and swimming.  Secondary sports he enjoyed were baseball and boxing.  After graduating Harlan High, he relocated to Somerset for a job in advertising sales. 

In Somerset, Ollie met and married the love of his life, Eva Elizabeth “Betty” Wilson.  He enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was trained as PFC at Parris Island, SC.  After training, he was stationed at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC where he and Betty lived during his active military duty.  Upon completion of his service, they returned to Somerset to be near family.

Besides a brief career as owner of the Creative Press Newspaper during the 1960’s, Ollie made a life long career of sales, most notably with the Paymaster Corporation.  He traveled the roads throughout Kentucky and eastern Tennessee for 30 plus years, serving his customers and making many good friends along the way.

Having grown up  in the aftermath of the Great Depression and amidst WWII, Ollie was extremely patriotic.  He loved and honored the American Flag, which he called Old Glory.  He once said that he and Betty “Loved the Lord, loved their country and loved each other” and felt that pretty much summed up the way to live a good life.  Ollie was of the Christian Faith; a prayerful man and had a grateful heart; always saying thank you to all who helped him or showed kindness towards him.

Ollie liked to keep life simple.  He had a “never give up” mind-set.  He enjoyed dining out and cooking good food.  He would cook Kibbeh, a Syrian dish, sharing It with anyone who stopped by the house.  He also enjoyed watching sports (especially the Kentucky Wildcats), classic movies and his favorite television show; Andy Griffith.  He gravitated to warm weather and the outdoors for relaxation.  He liked picnics with the family at Waitsboro Park and Burnside Island.  On occasion, he spent quiet summer afternoons, fishing for lake trout from the riverbanks of Lake Cumberland.  His favorite, family vacation destination was Daytona Beach, Florida.  Later in life, he enjoyed being with many good friends that he had met at Golden Corral Restaurant and Somerset Mall.

Ollie was blessed with a full life of family, friends and neighbors.  He was predeceased by his parents; Ollie Caplin and Ella Collins, his step-father; William (Doc) Collins, his wife; Betty Caplin, his sister; Helen Barker and his eldest son; Bill Caplin. 

He is survived by his children; Jeanene (Ray) Donilon of Merritt Island, Florida, Robert (Nancy) Caplin of Gainesville, Florida, Donna Caplin (Fred Rogers) of Nicholasville, Kentucky and his daughter-in-law; Jean Caplin of Lexington, Kentucky.  His eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survives him.  Ollie will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 8, 2021 in the Chapel of Somerset Undertaking Company & Crematory. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Harold Brown officiating. 

Interment will be in the Somerset Cemetery.

The family of Ollie Caplin would like to thank the Central Baptist Cardiology Group of Lexington and the Veteran’s Administration, both in Somerset and in Lexington, Kentucky, for their many years of medical care services.  A special note of gratitude is extended also to Somerset Comfort Keepers, Encompass Home Health and FirstLight Home Care of Lexington, for their in-home caregiving services.