Tanner Jay Olson

MISSOULA - Tanner Jay Olson is catching "Big Air" with his lord and savior Jesus Christ. He was taken from this earth too early but we know he is safe in the hands of God the Father almighty.

Tanner died tragically Saturday evening in an automobile collision and left us with aching hearts. He has taught us many lessons throughout his short 14 years - most importantly how to truly carpe diem, "seize the day," and to live every moment to its fullest with no boundaries.

He had returned Saturday from the "greatest week of (his) life" skiing slope style at Mount Hood, Ore. Tanner's passion and love of life were best exhibited throwing double back flips and "Cork Sevens" at ski areas throughout the region.

Upon return from Oregon, he was excited to go to Flathead Lake with his cousin, mentor, and best friend, Trevor Olson, who also tragically passed in the unfortunate accident.

Tanner attended grade school at Hellgate Elementary in Missoula, Poly Elementary in Billings, and most recently was enrolled at C.S Porter. He was a joy to watch compete in Little Guy Football, basketball - with his friends Steven, Skeff, Carter and Ed on the M.I.B. team - and wrestled on the Blackhorse and C.S. Porter Wrestling teams.

But it was with his move back to Missoula that Tanner truly had found his love and passion in slope style extreme skiing. With his posse of local "boys," Quinn, Liam, Alex, Cam, Dylan, Kaleb, Lenny and Kage, and "girl" Darian, he spent numerous hours in the air throwing and perfecting moves for competitions. His unlimited potential was cut far too short.

In addition to skiing with these dear friends, Tanner also rode BMX bicycles executing many of the tricks he had mastered on his skis. His dream was to one day see a BMX track in Missoula dedicated solely to BMX bikes so that they didn't have to try to use the local skate park.

Tanner was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles, "Chuck" Coey, of Portland, Ore.

He is survived by his father and mother, Jay Olson and Kathy Jackson Gratton, stepfather, Scott Gratton, of Missoula and Billings; and his wonderful grandparents, Woody and Fern Olson, Missoula, Phyllis Coey, Portland, Ore., Cheryl Goldsmith, Las Vegas, Patricia Gratton, Moscow, Idaho, and Mirl and Carolyn Gratton of San Miguel, Mexico. Tanner will be remembered most fondly by his siblings Allie and Halden Olson of Missoula; Konner Jackson, Spokane, Wash.; Karly Jackson, Missoula; and Sam and Zach Gratton, Missoula and Billings. His beautiful, 16-month-old niece, Kayden, will especially miss her "Uncle T." He will be sincerely missed by his numerous uncles, aunts and cousins of the wonderful, loving and caring Olson clan.

His memory will live on in the minds of numerous friends and parents who will forever recall his mischievous grin, perpetual motion, perpetual plans, and perpetual fun.

We miss you, Tanner, your time here was cut way too short but you surely did fit at least 60 years of life into your 14 years on earth. We will all see you in the future in Heaven, where we know, like the Red Bull commercial boasts, you most definitely have "Your Wings."

Memorials can be made to the Lost Trail Ski Area "Slope Style" ski run at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, P.O. Box 311, Conner, MT 59827, to encourage and support the development of other extreme skiing children like Tanner, or to "Tanner Olson Missoula BMX Park Fund" at First Security Bank, 1704 Dearborn, Missoula, MT 59801.

Services for Tanner, and his cousin, Trevor, will be held Thursday, July 7, 2011, at 1 p.m. at the Christian Life Center at 3801 S. Russell, in Missoula, followed by a reception at church. A private family burial will be at a later time. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home. 

Tanner Jay Olson