Lyndon Lowell Olson Sr.

Lyndon Lowell Olson, Sr. passed away at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005. Services will be held at, 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Lyndon was born Jan. 22, 1925 in Waco to Col. Ernest Andreas Olson and Beth Fuller Olson. Lyn attended Waco Public Schools and graduated from Waco High School in 1942, where he participated in athletics.Lyn and his brother, Bill, were Eagle Scouts in Troop 21 at Central Presbyterian Church. In the 1950's Lyn reestablished this same troop and served as the Scout Master. For one year after high school he attended John Tarleton Military Institute. He entered the United States Army shortly after his 18th birthday and served for three and a half years on active duty.He continued his service in the Army Reserve until 1954, at which time he had attained the rank of Captain. After the war Lyn returned to Waco and resumed his education at Baylor University graduating from Baylor Law School in 1950. Shortly after graduation he was employed by the legal department of the City of Waco.At the age of 27, Lyn became the City Attorney and served from 1951 to 1955. He was City Attorney during the time of the Waco tornado in 1953. Lyn engaged in the private practice of law for 55 years, joining the firm of Bryan, Maxwell, Wilson and Olson as a partner.Over time, this firm evolved into Olson and Olson, where he was in partnership with son, Charles.He was Of Counsel with the Law Firm of Haley & Olson at the time of his death. Lyn was the incorporating attorney for the City of Bellmead and served as its city attorney for over 50 years. Widely respected as a lawyer and civic leader, he served as chairman of the Brazos River Authority, and president of the Waco School Board, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, and the Waco McLennan County Bar Association.He was also a member of the board for the Salvation Army. Lyn was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and was active in the Scottish Rite bodies for 50 years. As an infant Lyn was baptized at Central Presbyterian Church in Waco, where he was an active member for his entire life. He taught the Men's Sunday School Class for 46 years following his grandfather, father and brother in this responsibility. He was also the chairman of the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees and a Ruling Elder. Lyn found great joy in spending time at the family ranch, known to many as the "Old YMCA Camp," located on the North Bosque River near Valley Mills, Texas. He and his family shared this joy with thousands over the last 45 years. Lyn was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Fuller Olson. He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances McLaughlin Olson; sons, Lyndon Lowell Olson, Jr. and wife, Kay Woodward Olson; Charles Dale Olson and wife, Kris Kaiser Olson; granddaughters, Elisabeth Lial Olson and Anne Kristine Olson; brother, William A. Olson and wife, Virginia Malloy Olson; sister-in-law, Rosemyrtle (Myrt) McLaughlin; nieces and nephews, Suzanne Olson Waldrep, William A. Olson, Jr., John F. Olson, and Judy Olson Dell 'Osso; and executive secretary of over fifty years, Bunny Allison and her husband Dean Allison. Pallbearers are William Olson, Jr., John Olson, Dean Allison, Hack Branch, Tom Bond, Rick Beckham, Bill Dietz, Bill Clifton, John Griffis, and John Quinius. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Nix, Carl Kuhnle, Jake Blankenship, Pat Beard, W. Lacy Clifton, Jack Jeffrey, Kurt Kaiser, Ted Talbot, Bernard Rapoport, and the Men's Sunday School Class of Central Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn, Dallas, TX 75219 or the Waco ISD Education Foundation, 501 Franklin Ave., Waco, TX 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Jan. 22, 1925 - Dec. 20, 2005