Blaine Willis Olson's Obituary
Blaine Willis Olson, 85, a kind gentle man of silent strength, went to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family on April 11, 2012. Blaine’s father, a Swedish immigrant who settled in Henriette, Minnesota, owned a saw mill and lumber yard where Blaine worked while growing up. He became the valedictorian of his senior class at Pine City High School in 1944. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and ascended to the rank of Tech Sergeant, where he served until 1946. Blaine met the love of his life, Betty Sue Jackson, while serving in the military just outside Washington, D.C. They were very happily married for 65 years. Blaine and Betty were co-founding members of Kirby Woods Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and chairman of the finance committee. He earned his law degree at Southern Law School (University of Memphis) and became a CPA shortly thereafter. Blaine practiced public accounting in the Memphis area for over 50 years. Two of his favorite things in the world were eating ice cream and taking his grandchildren to the circus. Blaine leaves his wife, Betty Jackson Olson, his two sons, Doug Olson (Donna), Matt Olson (Sam), his daughter, Melissa Barton (Dan), his six grandchildren, Katie Ledbetter (Mark), Sarah McCullar (Kyle), Molly Barton, Allie Olson, Ben Olson, Elizabeth Olson, and his great-granddaughter, Maggie Grace Ledbetter. Also, he leaves behind his beloved caregivers, Brianne Farmer, Tammy Chapman, Dee Shelton, and all of the wonderful employees at Job’s Way at Kirby Pines Retirement Home. The funeral service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home today with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to Job’s Way at Kirby Pines Retirement Home or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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