Gary A. Olson

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gary A. Olson please visit our Sympathy Store.
Gary Arthur Olson, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, born November 30, 1934, to Clarence W. "Ole" Olson and Nellie Gildroy Olson passed away peacefully Saturday, May 21, 2022, at age 87, at his home at Merced Falls/Snelling, California. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Montgomery Olson, his son, Dennis Olson (Denise), daughters: Debra McVay (Rich), Monica Jackson (Bill) and Juanita "Nita" Bain (Jeff). He also leaves 7 grandchildren: Lindsay Olson Swink (Steven), Dexter Olson, Steve Kullbom (Erin) and Sarah Kullbom, Ben Kyler (Kylie), Josh Jackson and Jennifer Jackson Muirbrook and 8 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his nephews, Bill Jackson and Barry Jackson as well as 5 step nieces and nephews and 2 sister-in-laws and their husbands. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marilyn Jackson.
Gary was born at Emanuel Hospital in Turlock. He spent most of his growing up years in Modesto. He attended elementary school in Modesto and graduated from Modesto High School in 1952. He played sports all thru his school years, in the tradition of his father, football was his passion. Upon graduation from High School, he attended the University of California, Berkeley where he was on the football team. He met his first wife, Joanne Carole Siegmon, during a visit home and they married in 1956. He then attended Modesto Junior College for a short period and was able to finish his education at University of California Davis. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. After graduation he obtained employment with Solano County as and Agricultural Inspector. His son, Dennis was born during his last year of college. Daughter Debra born in 1960 while he was working for the County.
The family moved back to Modesto shortly after that and he went into a partnership with his cousin in a fuel distributorship for a short period of time. Worked at International Paper for a year or so and after a layoff, was able to go to work for a trucking company. He found this was something he really enjoyed. He worked with Clawson Bros. Trucking in Modesto for several years and was able to purchase a couple trucks thru a lease purchase program.
He and his first wife were divorced in 1966. They both had a love of horses and Gary enjoyed team roping when he could find time.
In 1968 he met Phyllis Montgomery Thomason, a single mother of two little girls, Monica and Nita Thomason. Their romance quickly bloomed and they were married in Reno, NV., on February 2, 1969. They spent their first 3 years in Modesto on a small horse ranch. They then purchased an acreage in Turlock and had a home built there which allowed all four children to be in the same school district.
They successfully grew their business and had to move it twice to larger locations. In 2004 they decided to sell their business and retire. In 2008 they moved to Merced Falls to develop their dream home on a small lake. They purchased property in Arizona and spent the winter there enjoying lots of music, dancing and riding ATVs in the desert. He made many friends there.
Gary was loved by all who knew him. He loved people. He always saw the good in everyone and never knew a stranger. If you knew him you probably received one of his big hugs (and maybe one of his kisses). He loved his family and especially loved to play with the little ones. He loved music and the family called him a "juke box" as he knew the words to "a million songs".
He never lost his passion for football. He was a season ticket holder for Cal Berkeley Bears "Go Bears" for over 30 years. He also loved the 49ers, the Golden State Warriors and the Giants. In his later years he loved watching cage fights on TV.
In 1971, he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was sealed to his eternal companion, Phyllis, in 1972. He was very active in the Church, having served as a teacher, a local missionary, youth leader and served a short Mission managing the Bishop's Storehouse for the Turlock Stake. His faith in his Savior was unwavering and he loved the Gospel.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Private graveside services will be held on Saturday May 28, 2022, with a public memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Stake Center building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 4250 Geer Road, Turlock. In lieu of flowers, the family request a donation to the charity of your choice or the Community Hospice in Modesto.