FOREST E. OLSON

A Celebration of Life Service in honor of Forest E. Olson will be held on February 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and will be immediately followed by a reception at the Big Canyon Country Club.
Forest Edward Olson passed away peacefully on January 6, 2024, at the age of 97. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Jeannie, for 56 years, a loving father to four sons (Philip, Curtis, Jeffrey, and Steven), a proud grandfather to twelve, and a great-grandfather to five. He was affectionately known as "Forrie" by friends and "Boppy" by his grandchildren.
Forest was born on January 28th, 1926, in Glendale, California, to his parents, Lawrence and Ada Olson. After enlisting in the US Army Air Corps during World War II and completing his education at USC, he ventured into real estate. In 1953, he founded the Forest E. Olson Real Estate company in the San Fernando Valley with a humble $500 loan. The company expanded its reach to 450 employees and 30 sales offices before being acquired by Coldwell Banker in 1968. Under Forest's leadership, Coldwell Banker became a nationwide presence in residential real estate.
In 1969, Forest realized a personal dream by relocating to Newport Beach. As an avid boater and competitive sailor, he found joy living on the water. He was a founding member of Big Canyon Country Club and the Pacific Club, a member of the Young Presidents Organization, and the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. His diverse interests, which included racing sailboats, skiing, tennis, and golf, showcased his zest for life.
Beyond his professional success, Forest was a man of faith, enjoying 37 years in a couples Bible Study with the same cherished friends.
Forest Olson left an indelible impact on those he knew, as a mentor, confidant, and trusted friend. His legacy is one that our family is immensely proud of and forever grateful.
Should friends desire, the family has designated the Salvation Army for memorial contributions.