Roger Lowell OLSON

OLSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/16/2016 at 23:14:52

June 5, 1925 ----- July 24, 2016

Roger Lowell Olson, known as Rog, died at home with many of his family present on Sunday, July 24, 2016. He was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, the fourth child of Trygve and Edna Olson. With time, the family grew to be six boys and three girls. Rog lived the longest of the nine and celebrated his 91st birthday on June 5, 2016. As a child, his parents moved often settling in the town of Mitchellville, Iowa, in 1935. In May of 1942, Rog graduated from Mitchellville High School after attending some elementary years and all of his junior high and high school in that same building.

The Army Air Force was calling and in 1943, Rog attended cadet training and graduated as a Second Lieutenant, a B-25 pilot. Meeting Jo, his wife of 69 years, in 1942 in Iowa and renewing that friendship in Long Beach, CA in 1946, they were married in 1947. To this relationship were born Steven, Gary, Janette and Becky. Anxious to attend college, Rog attended night school while working in the oil fields, graduating with a BA degree in Education and later obtained his Master’s Degree. In 1965, he moved the family to Davis, CA, where he taught elementary school for twenty years retiring in 1985. Moving to Arbuckle was a big change from teaching school but Rog was always up very early doing farmer chores, playing golf or creating the next project. There was always a project or two, three or more being made. He always challenged his ability by constantly trying a new craft. The only problem was he only made just ONE which made the item very special. It was his way of thanking someone for friendship or an act of kindness he appreciated. Rog was an avid reader, visiting the Arbuckle Library often. As a community project, he enjoyed working on “wee park” in its beginning stages as you enter the town of Arbuckle. Music was appreciated by Rog and he would often play records or CDs in his shop and sing along with the artist performing.

He had many wonderful family memories and proud of being a father of four who found wonderful spouses, grandfather of twelve and great grandfather of six.

These words written by a family member sum up his life: Loved and missed by family, friends and animals. Loving husband and father. WWII veteran, milkman, oil field worker, teacher, pilot, farmer, jack-of-all-trades (master of MOST). Quick with the humor, talked to everyone. Rejoice in a life well lived.

Roger, with family present, will be interned at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon in October. Arrangements are being handled by the Trident Society. Memorial donations may be made to the Arbuckle Fire Department.

Williams Pioneer Review -- Colusa, California
August 12, 2016