Edward Franklin "Ed" Olson

Edward Franklin Olson Edward "Ed" Franklin Olson, age 79, a native of Cadillac, Mich., went home to live with the Lord in Glory on Wednesday, April 9, 2008. Mr. Olson leaves to cherish memories of their lives together his wife of 8 years, Elsie W. Smith Olson; brother Charles "Chuck" Olson (wife Betty); son Edward Layne Olson (wife Michelle); daughter Sandra Leigh Olson Rogers; granddaughters Jessica Layne Smith Andrews (husband Chris), Lindsey Olson and Kelsey Olson; grandson James Edward Rogers; great-grandson Noah and great-granddaughter Kayleigh Andrews; stepson Ken Smith (wife Jo); stepgrandson Ryan; stepdaughter Kay Beebe; stepgrandsons Adam and Tyler Beebe and 7 nieces, 6 nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, and numerous great-nieces and nephews. His parents, Edward Theodore and Lenore Glympse Olson, and his wife of 47 years, Mary Katherine Bates Olson, preceded Mr. Olson in death. Ed graduated from Duncan U. Fletcher High School at Jacksonville Beach, Fla., attended the University of Florida at Gainesville for three years and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Ed was a loyal employee of Graybar Electric Co. Inc., retiring after 35 years of service. Ed will be remembered as an asset to his community, wherever he lived. He was active as a scout master in Boy Scout Troop 37 out of Arlington Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, a scout master in Tallahassee, Fla., as well as a volunteer in the Literacy Program and the Planning & Zoning Committee in Wakulla County, a master gardener in Leon County and an active member of both the Crawfordville Methodist and Baptist churches. Ed was also an active member of the Big Bend Model Railroading Association. Ed and Elsie also attended Capital City Christian Church, and most recently, Trinity Methodist Church in Tallahassee. Ed was a World War II veteran, having served in Japan, occupying the Japanese city of Kyoto with the U.S. Army's First Cavalry Division. Ed enriched and touched many lives in his 79 years in this earthly realm. His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has sustained him throughout his life through many trials and tribulations. His sunny, ready smile reflected the Lord's presence in his life and now Ed stands in the presence of the Lord. Ed's life has been a blessing and a witness for the Lord to more people than this family can count on both hands and feet, and our lives have been enriched and blessed by having relationships with all those whom we've known. Ed will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Please join the family on Saturday, April 12, at 4 p.m. EDT to celebrate Ed's arrival in heaven and remember the good times we all enjoyed with him while he was with us on this earth. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service, from 2 to 4 p.m., then have the service at 4 p.m. Burial will follow at Tallahassee Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, Ed wished for donations to be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Abbey-Riposta Funeral Home (850-562-1518) is in charge of arrangements.