Obituary of Ray Edward Olson

Ray Edward Olson’s birth was celebrated by his parents Ruth and Karl Olson and older brother Karl on August 31, 1948.  His journey began in the humble coal mining town named Mahanoy City in Pennsylvania.  His mother was an educator.  That is probably why he could spell any word thrown at him and know its definition.  His father attended Purdue on a football scholarship.   From him he inherited his loyalty and faithfulness for the important people in his life.  He loved and cherished his family and filled his home with love every day for 40 years.  It was his greatest gift.

 

He graduated from Mahanoy Area High School and Thaddeus Stevens Trade School.  Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  The government provided him free travel to many places he had never been, including Vietnam.  Following his discharge, he continued to serve as a U.S. Army Reservist.   Ray was quietly very proud of his military service.

 

Ray worked hard his entire life. He had his own plumbing business, worked on Washington State’s attempt to build a nuclear cooling down tower at Satsop, but when it reached 500 feet and he had to climb the ladder every day in the freezing rain, he gave it up.  For a few years, he was at Bates Vocational School, which made his mother especially proud. He ended his career as a Building Inspector and Code Compliance Office for the City of Aberdeen. His favorite part of the job was working closely with the Aberdeen Police Department which gave him the honor of carrying a badge that identified him as a member of the department.  As many of his coworkers said, Ray brought laughter and fun to them every day.  He was known to constantly play practical jokes on his unsuspecting coworkers. 

 

Ray had a true appreciation for the outdoors.  His wife and daughter can attest to the many trips he made to REI to gear him up for his latest hobby.  He enjoyed shrimp fishing with his buddies and looked forward to the toast they enjoyed before each trip, wishing them a successful catch.  Ray laughed and was a little embarrassed every time he and Jennifer went clam digging and she showed up in her waders and clam print inspired pants.  They would celebrate their catch at the Green Lantern and later enjoy pots of chowder.

 

Throughout his life, he always had a motorcycle or two, or a boat or two, or a couple kayaks. He even crafted a wooden kayak by hand.  Ray belonged to a riding group called the Harbor Hogs and looked forward to their trips.  He rode that Harley to California, Canada, Wenatchee, Hells Canyon and the Red Woods, always coming home with tales of pranks he played.  The Harley is now with his son and will continue to ride.

 

He knew how to fix anything and his man cave was the place neighbors came to borrow tools for anything that needed to be fixed, watch football, drink tequila and smoke cigars.

 

After he retired, he enjoyed trips in his motor home where he, his wife and his dogs spent quiet evenings at a campfire where he served her Manhattans he made with love. He spent quality time with his brother, riding his quad, and at the shooting range. 

 

He climbed mountains and traveled to places like Japan, Cuba, Europe and Mexico but in the end, his most favorite trip was the one he had put off for years.  Disneyland!  In the Spring he enjoyed some quality time with his grandkids, Kolin, Addison and Avery, in California.

 

Ray also had an appreciation for the simple things in life.  He was a grounded man who provided unflagging support for his wife.  When she decided to return to college at the ripe age of 40, he was always there helping out no matter what it took--cooking, cleaning, proofing papers.  Four years later, while working full time, Joan was able to get her degree, which they walked the stage together to receive.  Together they were never afraid to take on a challenge. When they wanted a beach house, they decided they it would be special if they built it together, so they accepted the challenge.  They designed it, carried the windows for the second story up on a ladder, Ray sat on the roof of his truck and they choose everything together from furniture to silverware.  Never one disagreement or argument occurred. 

 

The bond he shared with his daughter was deep and unbreakable—maybe as strong as their shared love for their beloved Huskies.  It likely started with so many of her graduations they attended at the school!  They shared season tickets but the last game he went to was shared with the entire family.  He made no secret of telling the family that they were messing with their tradition.  His granddaughters and daughter laughed as they teased him on the way home; he and Jennifer always rehashed the entire game with the post-game show announcers.  They bonded over adventures and interests, including cribbage, craft beer, clamming, and the love of the ocean.  Their latest adventure was fly fishing with a planned trip to Montana.  They took lessons in the pouring rain in preparation for this trip. They never made the trip, but they sure made memories planning it.   Someday Jennifer will take it for them.

 

After his sudden and quite unexpected diagnose of metastatic cancer in October of 2017, he spent a year fighting the battle for his family.  Even when he was ready to accept the reality of death, he kept on fighting for his family until he knew they were ready to let go. One of Ray’s beloved palliative care doctors said it best: “He was gracious and patient even with the heights of suffering.”

 

On September 9, 2018, the Lord called him home.  He was with his family at the time of his death, and Ray left this earth surrounded by warmth, love, caring and a deep respect for who he was. It was exactly what he wanted. Our world will never be the same.

 

Ray is survived by his wife, Joan; two children, Jennifer Olson of Olympia, Washington, and Kristian Olson of Utah; grandchildren, Addison, Avery and Kolin; and his brother, Karl Olson.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Karl Olson.

 

Ray had a deep love of animals, especially his pups, Cooper and Charlie. He also loved the squirrels and hummingbirds he fed in his yard. In lieu of flowers, Ray requested memorial donations be made to Animal Welfare Society of Grays Harbor at http://www.pawsgh.org.

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