Donald W. Olson Jr.

Donald W. Olson Jr. (Don/DJ), 52 years, of Bel Aire, KS, was born 1/15/74 to Don and Cheryl Olson at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, and passed away 2/18/26 at the hospital where he had been born. He was trained as a firefighter in the U. S. Army Reserve (323rd Firefighting Engineering Unit, El Dorado, KS) and held both firefighters and the Wounded Warrior Project in high esteem.

Don was committed to helping his sister, Machen, and her son Jordan; taking them to appointments, ROTC and school events, parades and jobs when needed. He was Jordan's go-to dad and was only a phone call away to talk to. He was also present at numerous sporting and school events for nieces Kaitlyn and Khylee, as well. He valued being a part of all their lives.

Outside of family, Don found great joy, and purpose, in being a Forensics judge at many events for the Garden Plain High School Forensics team. He, also, helped out with (and never missed) a GPHS play; both involving Machen's students. The cast of the play, after Don's death, dedicated their play in his honor. Don enjoyed trivia, politics, history, and blogging.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald W. Olson Sr. Survivors: Cheryl Olson (mother), brother-Devon Olson (wife Mary Beth, daughters Kaitlyn and Khylee), sister Machen Olson (son, Jordan) and half sister Joleen Gaylord and half brother Aaron Olson and their children, and a large family of aunts, uncles, and cousins; as well as friends.

A funeral/memorial will be held at Rose Hill Bible Church (1410 N. Main St, Rose Hill, KS 67133) at noon on April 10th and will be followed by a meal at the church. RSVP to Machen Olson via Facebook messenger if attending.

En lieu of flowers, donations in Don's memory can be made to:

Sedgwick County Fire District #1- 316-660-3473
or
The Wounded Warrior Project- 855-448-3997 or online at WoundedWarriorProject.org (ways to give/memorial/onetime gift)