George H. Olson

1927 - 2017

BORN

1927

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Threadgill's Memorial Services, LLC

4815 SW Jamieson Road

Beaverton, Oregon

George Olson Obituary

Name: Funeral service for George H. Olson
Start: 2017-02-10T19:00:00.000Z
Location: First Baptist Church

George H. Olson

May 8, 1927 - February 3, 2017

Salem, Oregon - George Henry Olson, 89, passed peacefully February 3, 2017, in Salem, OR, joining his beloved wife, Fay, and parents, Harold and Wilhemina "Min" Olson. He is survived by his brother and several nieces and nephews.

Services by Threadgill Memorial Services 503 526-3952

George was born May 8, 1927, in Aberdeen, WA. After completing high school, George enlisted in the Navy on April 13, 1945. George realized this timing was one of what would be many lucky breaks in his life. After discharging in August 1946, George rejoined his family in Portland, OR, and traveled the US and Canada with them. After completing business college, he began his career as a civil servant with the General Services Administration in Washington, D.C.

By 1952, George had moved back to Portland and joined the Bonneville Power Administration, where he stayed until retiring in 1982 at age 55. George often marveled at his luck in being able to spend over 30 years retired and having fun. He said the best thing about BPA--and the greatest piece of good fortune ever bestowed upon him--was meeting the girl of his dreams, Fay Lillegard.

As George often told it, "We went on a blind date in Washington Park in August, were engaged in October, and married December 30, 1955. I'm sure the speed raised some eyebrows, but I didn't care. I knew I had to marry her before she came to her senses!"

So began an almost 59-year adventure together. George enjoyed doing most everything with Fay: camping, bike rides, long walks, playing games, and entertaining friends. They delighted in spoiling their many dogs over the years. Much as Fay enjoyed gardening via looking out the window and watching George do it all, George enjoyed cooking by devouring anything Fay put in front of him.

George found doing counted cross-stitch especially relaxing and was quite good at it; their home boasted dozens of his framed creations.

Upon retirement, George and Fay moved full-time to their vacation home in Lake Havasu City, AZ. They spent five happy years there before needing to return to Oregon to assist in caring for their parents. George and Fay spent the last 30 years in the Salem area, enjoying life and each other.

George continued to be a voracious reader throughout his retirement, enjoying rereading Agatha Christie, Zane Grey, and Erle Stanley Gardner while impatiently awaiting the latest John Grisham. George was particularly proud of the fact that despite retiring before computers were common in the workplace, he taught himself how to stay in touch via email.

George was a fun conversationalist, engaged and interested in the world around him. He loved to joke, get a Blizzard at Dairy Queen, and appreciated the view during a scenic drive. He enjoyed reading the paper every morning, keeping up with current events, watching PBS, and listening to his extensive and eclectic music collection.

Heartfelt thanks to Scott Lichtenstein for years of tireless devotion to George; Dr Joshua Meador, a truly kind and attentive physician; and the extraordinary team at Sweet Bye N Bye Coral Springs, who helped us envelop George with love and peace in his final stretch of life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider taking the time to make some random person smile, and know that George will be smiling down on you.

Funeral Service on Friday, 2/10/17, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 395 Marion St NE, Salem OR. Burial Service at Willamette National Cemetery wtih Military Honors in Portland on Monday, 2/13/17 at 11:00 am.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Statesman Journal on Feb. 8, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for George Olson

Sponsored by Threadgill's Memorial Services, LLC.

3 Entries

Helen Woodings

February 13, 2017

George's wife Faye I knew best along with her sister Lois, my age, since we worked together at Thuns apple and pear orchards, went camping together, and stayed overnight at each others homes. Faye attended every Collins event I attended, summer picnics and reunions, and funerals. George wanted to know our big family and made it possible for Faye to be there. They were part of my Annual letter list, and I always knew where they lived. Faye bid high on my Mom's cookbook which Karen Dallas Levens created at the Reunion auction. George always was close by Faye at the gatherings and wanted to know our big friendly family.

Dale Collins

February 10, 2017

I didn't know George well. I too joined the Navy to be a pilot in the summer of 1945. The war ended the same year and I was discharged without learning to fly. The great depression didn't end until after the war, and the Art Collins family was one of the poorest and we seldom traveled to visit cousin Faye's family. I never returned to live in the area so never kept up with Faye & George and other family except for reunions and funerals. I did visit Faye & George when they lived in Central WA. and saw them at family reunions. I enjoyed conversations with George and liked his wit and humor as well as his extensive knowledge about so many things. We shared our faith in Christ and lived to spend eternity in the right place.

Phyllis Hollingsworth

February 9, 2017

I remember visiting George and Fay when they still lived in Parkrose. The yard and lawn looked so immaculate and precise. George, at that earlier time, made hooked rugs. Fay was my one of many cousins from the Collins family. We visited them occasionally during the year and at reunions. We lost track of them when they moved from the Dallas area. So we learned of Fay's passing after the fact. My husband and I will remember George's light-heartedness. We liked him very much. So sorry to have been out of contact.

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