Alton Jerome Olson's Obituary
Alton Jerome Olson
Loving, and dearly loved, husband, step-father, grandfather, brother-in-law and uncle, Alton Olson quietly passed on to be with the Lord Thursday evening, April 9, near his long time home in Puyallup. Three days past his 90th birthday, Alton was the youngest and last surviving member of ten T. H. Olson children. He was born, grew up and attended school in Parkland, Washington. A lifelong member of the Lutheran church, Alton was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran in Parkland. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in both the Pacific theater aboard the USS Stockham during WW II and the USS Stephen Potter during the Korean War. Alton was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
After the War he received his AA degree at UC Davis then worked in sales and promotions in Tacoma, Portland, and Sacramento. From 1965 until 1990, Alton worked as an appraiser for Pierce, Yakima, and Cowlitz counties as well as for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in California and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Vancouver, Washington. He spent the last eight years of his career as a self-employed appraiser.
Alton will be remembered for his great sense of humor, deep fondness for his Norwegian heritage, his profound love of God and country, and his enduring devotion to his whole family.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Marguerite (Peggy), two stepsons Larry (Patricia) and Gary DuCharme, two grandsons Andrew and Walter, one great-grandson Paul, sister-in-law Patricia Olson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews each one of whom he would often smile and tell them “they” were his favorite.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood, WA. Inurnment and reception to follow on the grounds.
In lieu of flowers the family asks memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or in support of Homeless Veterans.
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