Jim Olson

James "Jim" Olson was born on October 30, 1951 in Mauston, Wisconsin to Gaylord
and Lucille Olson. His first years were spent on a dairy farm in the Wisconsin Dells
area. He passed away at his home on May 9, 2025, surrounded by family, after a long
battle with prostate cancer.
In 1959, the family moved to Colorado Springs where he lived at the time of his death.
Jim was number 5 of 7 siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents Gaylord and
Lucille, sister Arlene Schweitzer-Clark, sister Shirley Sigafus-Templin, sister Linda
Evans-Dutoit, and sister Mary Olson.
Jim attended Buena Vista Elementary, West Junior High School, and Harrison High
School, graduating in 1969. In high school, Jim had Dave Hoff for wood shop and Ken
Wilson for metal shop. Both were Gear Heads (car guys) who planted the seed that
would carry through his entire life.
His senior year, he built the chassis for a Model T Hot Rod in metal shop and built a
Model T and wood body for his first Hot Rod in wood shop.
This car traveled to Fort Collins, CSU, and entered in a high school display for student
VICA projects. The car won best in state. He still owned this car.
In June of 1972, Jim married the love of his life, Kathy Evans. They were married just
short of 47 years.
After high school, he worked two years at Colorado Springs Woodworking for the two
high school shop teachers. He then worked in construction for 22 years.This is when he picked up the nickname
Big "O". Doing drywall and eventually starting Big "O" drywall, he then created Big "O"
Fabrications and went on to build over 100 street rods and custom cars. He was a
charter member in the Colorado Springs Rod & Custom Club for over 42 years. He also
was a member of Good Guys Rod & Custom Club. The NSRA (National Street Rod
Association) for 42 years, where he became a NSRA State Safety Inspector, inspecting
street rods & customs not only in Colorado, but Oklahoma, Kentucky, Minnesota, and
Wyoming for 40+ years.
He volunteered for the Rock Creek Mesa Water District where he served as Operations
Manager, Vice President, and President for about 30 years, then moving into an
employee position of District Water Manager. He designed the districts (water pump)
logo and worked to improve all phases of the system for over 45 years.
The marriage to Kathy resulted in the birth of two daughters, Crystal Olson-Carranza
(Christine), April Matulovich (Bob), Grandsons Dominic Olson (Anjelica), Kane Cortes,
granddaughters Ashley Brodmerkel (Don), Cristionna Matulovich, Caitlin Olson
(Charlie), and Hayley Olson, and one great grandson Daxton Lee. He is also survived
by sister Gayle Trumbo (Dalton), brother Larry Olson (Elaine), and many nieces and
nephews and cousins.
In his later years, Jim continued to use his creative and artistic abilities for his hobby of
cars and restoration. He was never the type to sit and do nothing. He was known as a
talker and his stories will be greatly missed. Think of him when you hear his favorite
terms, "The thing of it is " and "It is what it is."
All the great friends he made through the years were countless! He cherished attending
car shows each summer, swap meets and garage tours.
For many years he fought severe diabetes, prostate cancer, chronic back deterioration,
2 back fusion surgeries, and radiation treatments.
Jim's thoughts on life were, "It's not so much about the journey, not to end up at the
finish line in perfect shape, but to slide in all worn out and say, wow, what a ride!" There
will never be another man quite like him.
A celebration of life will be held at his home, 230 Rock Creek Mesa Road, Colorado
Springs, CO 80926 on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from noon-4pm. If you have a street rod
or classic car, please bring it to the celebration. The family is asking for those attending
to RSVP here https://forms.gle/G7znVVMuyQAPL1qq8
In lieu of flowers, JIm would have appreciated donations being made in his name to St.
Jude. http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/jamesolsonbigo