Lloyd Jack OLSON

1927 - 2013

OLSON, Lloyd Jack (Age 86) Passed away on Nov 11, 2013 at his home in Bothell, Washington. Lloyd was born March 13, 1927 in Spokane, WA., on his mother Ethel (Witherspoon) Olson's 35th birthday. His mother had emigrated from England to America when she was 21. His father, Herman Olson, was a bricklayer by trade and a "Swede" from Mandan, ND. Lloyd along with his older sister, Betty, lived in Spokane, in a home that their father built. Lloyd graduated from North Central High School in Spokane, in 1945. As a teenager, he would work on and fly small planes. Flying was a passion for him, guiding his future career choices. Lloyd joined the Coast Guard, just missing the action of WWII. When he was honorably discharged he moved to Glendale, CA., to begin aircraft mechanic school. There he met the love of his life, Ruth Johnson, who had moved to California from Minnesota. They were married on June 18, 1949 at the North Glendale Methodist Church and moved to Minneapolis MN shortly thereafter. Lloyd got a job with Northwest Airlines as an airline mechanic and slowly moved up the ranks from flight engineer to co-pilot to pilot, which was quite rare in the airline industry for a person with only a high school degree. He worked for NWA for 36 years until he was 60. He moved his family, which included three daughters, many times over the years to Seattle, WA; San Ramon, CA; and Bloomington, MN., each time joining church congregations where the family made many friends and grew in their faith. During his 26 years of retirement, Lloyd and Ruth bought a second home in Sun Lakes AZ that became their respite from the rainy Seattle weather, to play golf and gather the family for vacations. Lloyd was a quiet man, with a dry sense of humor, who loved to be surrounded by his family. He enjoyed watching golf, football and baseball games. He was a faithful companion and for the last several years, caregiver to his wife, Ruth. He loved the Lord and will be content to be at rest in Heaven. Survivors include is beloved wife, Ruth; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jeudi and Harry Davis of Marlborough, NH., Janet Budke-Sullivan and husband Greg Sullivan of Anthem, AZ., and Alison and Steve Schold of Duvall, WA; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law Natalie Watz of Daytona, FL; three nieces and two nephews, including Nancy (Darrell) Collison, Rand (Barb) Evans and Terry Evans of Spokane; extended family and friends. His sister Betty Evans of Spokane, WA., died August 1, 2011; two brother-in-laws, Richard Evans and Eric Watz died earlier. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Monday, December 16th, 2pm at the Northwest Community Church in Bothell, WA., with long time friend, Pastor Lee Bennett, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of ones choice.