Gary Olson

Gary Olson

1967 - 2025

Gary Thomas Olson, age 58, of Hill City, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at his home.

Gary was in born 1967, to Alfred and Leslie Olson, in Fosston, MN. He was raised in Grand Rapids until age 14, when his father moved the family to mine for gold in Alaska. As a teenager, Gary found that drawing was a great release from teenage stressors. It was when Gary first looked at an old Easy Rider magazine that he fell in love with the biker scene, part of which included tattoos. Back then tattoos were taboo, but then, his whole life at the time was taboo.

Gary started his first tattoo studio in 1996, Top of the World Tattoos, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He then came back to his home state in 2006 and opened Smokin Guns Tattoos.

Looking back over his years as a tattooist, he was able to meet the most interesting people, do some incredible artwork, and make a decent living doing what he loved the most. The dream life that he aspired to as a teenager was the life he lived. He often expressed with amazement at how many people were wearing his art. We owe each one his gratitude, for without them, he would not have been able to live this life.

Gary was met in heaven by his father, Alfred Henry Olson; his mother, Leslie Maxine (Walden) Olson; brothers, Alfred Leslie Olson and James Byron Olson.

He will be forever remembered by his daughter, Chesney Carter; grandson, Kieran Carter; his brother, Dennis Olson and by his vast family, friends and community.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Assembly of God Church in Grand Rapids, beginning at 10:00 AM and lasting until the 11:00 AM memorial service.

Arrangements are with Libbey Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.libbeyfuneralhome.com.