James Robert Olson, 85, passed away December 18, 2022 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Jim Olson was born October 3, 1937 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin to Robert C. and Marguerite D, (Allen) Olson. The family later moved to Merrill, Wisconsin where Jim and his siblings attended Franklin Grade School and Merrill High School. He was active in sports and received All Conference Honors as a member of the Blue Jay basketball team. Saying “It was a team game” he often credited teammates Bill Weber, Les Smith, Larry Plautz, Skip Ott and others. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954 where he continued playing basketball with various traveling Air Force teams during his service time. Upon receiving an honorable discharge after 4 years of service, he joined his family who, by then, had relocated to Southern California. He attended Ventura College before transferring to Chico State University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree. Jim had a long and various career that included General Motors and later national sales jobs where he traveled throughout the U.S. After becoming tired of travel and being away from home he changed careers and became a High School teacher that led to becoming a Varsity Football Coach and later a Vice Principal. Jim finished his career teaching High School in the California State Penal System. At retirement he moved to Tucson, AZ to me near his mother and brother, Harry. Later he and his daughter, Jana Olson, moved to Las Cruces where he spent the remainder of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Christine and daughter Lynn. His survivors include daughter: Jana Olson, grandson: Adam Olson, brothers: Jack and wife Joanie, San Antonio, TX. and Harry and wife Linda of Tucson AZ., in addition to other family members including nephews and nieces.