Captain Gerard Robert Olson, US Navy (Retired), August 5, 1931 to August 10, 2018 loved to tell everyone that he preferred to be known as Daddy O, passed away peacefully, into the hands of the Lord, five days after the celebration of his 87th birthday.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 5th, 1931, to Robert and Helen Olson, he was the last surviving member of the Olson brothers, preceded in death by his older infant brother, Gerald, and two younger brothers, Tom and Bobby. Daddy O is survived by his loving wife of twenty-one (21) years, Mary Louise (Rockwell) Olson, better known as Mary Lou, and was predeceased by his first wife, Anne Elizabeth (Timmons) Olson, to whom he was married for forty (40) years.
He was loved and will be missed by his large first and second families including brother Bill (step-son) and Valerie Rockwell of our Council.
His entire family is listed in his obituary at:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/virginia-beach-va/gerard-olson-7959205
Jerry (as he was known in his US Navy days) had an exciting and fulfilling 30-plus year career in the US Navy, in 1954 when he received his Naval Aviator wings. This passion took him and his family to multiple Naval bases in the States, and cruises to various ports all over the world. He was proud to serve his family and country, retiring as a Captain in 1979. In retirement he fulfilled a life-long dream of building houses by working with family at the BECO Construction Company, from where he retired at the age of 86. His lifelong hobby of restoring antique cars, led him to belong to and hold leadership positions with various vintage car clubs in the area. The twilight years of his life were filled with time spent with family, as well as traveling the world with his beloved wife, Mary Lou. Jerry loved the Lord and was very active as a parishioner at The Church of the Ascension where he served in various ministries including the Knights of Columbus. His strong faith guided him throughout his life, even until his final days on this earth. |