2023 Hall of Fame Inductee David Y. Olinger Class of 1976

David Y. Olinger, Jr., retired as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky on July 3, 2017. During Olinger's formative years in Hazard, he played baseball, football, and basketball. Olinger played varsity basketball for four years at Berea College, where he received his B.A. in History and Political Science.

Olinger and his wife, Betty, did the traditional “BC thing” and were married the day after graduation. Soon after their marriage, Olinger joined and served four years in the U.S. Navy.

After completing his time in the military, Olinger received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky. He spent the first four years of his legal career working for the KY Department of Transportation.

In 1980, as one the last appointees of President Jimmy Carter’s Attorney General, Ben Civilitti, Olinger began his federal prosecutor duties in condemnation and general civil. The last 25 years he served as the asset forfeiture coordinator. He has been involved in the forfeiture of “much” cash, “many” houses, land, livestock, a Lear jet, etc.

Olinger is active in his community. He is a member of the NAACP Local Chapter. He has served as president of the Berea Kiwanis Club, lieutenant governor for Division Nine Kentucky-Tennessee District of Kiwanis, and is a past governor for the Kentucky-Tennessee District of Kiwanis. In addition, he was past master of Ashler Lodge # 49 P.H.A. He is a founding member of the John Rowe Chapter of the National Bar Association. Olinger served on the University of Kentucky Law School Visiting Committee for 15 years, and is currently an emeritus member. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his professional and personal activities; he is known as a mentor to other young lawyers.

Olinger and his wife, Betty, have been married 54 years. They have one daughter, Joslyn, their son-in-law Russell, and the joy and sunshine of their life – 12 year-old grand daughter Jalia!