Cecil Howard Olson

Cecil Howard Olson Jan 4, 1937 – May 29, 2013 Puyallup,WA Cecil Howard Olson was the middle child, the second son born to Linus and Bernice in Burlington Northern Hospital on McKinley Avenue in Tacoma on January 4, 1937. Except for about five years spent in Yakima as a young boy, his family lived on 26th Street his whole life. When Cecil was a teenager attending Lincoln High School, he started working at Tacoma Rubber Stamp. After graduating from Lincoln High, he began working in the printing trade. In 1962 he joined the Army and was sent to Germany for two years. His entire time there was spent working for a Colonel as a typist and a driver. He bought his own car and on days off and weekends travelled throughout the countries. This is where Cecil caught the “bug to travel” – something that never left him. He returned home after he was discharged and returned to work in the printing shop. About this time in 1964 or 1965, Cecil decided to learn to fly. He bought his plane and learned to fly at Spanaway Airport. He was instrument rated and logged more than 8,000 hours in his Beechcraft V-Tail Bonanza – flying all over Canada, Alaska, the US and Central America. Cecil worked just down the street from the Johnny’s at Fife restaurant and was usually the first customer of the day. There worked Joyce, the early waitress who usually had his cup of coffee poured and waiting when he arrived at 6am. That was 1986 – 13 years later Cecil and Joyce flew to Reno, Nevada and got married. After about 40 years, Cecil decided it was best to give up flying; he had some health issues (like passing out) that didn’t go so well with flying his plane. So he sold his plane, (his first wife) and he and Joyce bought a camper so they could travel around the US, Canada and Alaska; at times taking along a grandson or two! Cecil had many friends in Canada and Alaska. He flew many, many fishermen, families and friends in and out of British Columbia to the cabins and fish camps in the remote areas of the north countries. He loved it! He was a real adventurer – always ready to fly and always ready to tell you about his adventures, his stories in detail, he could recall them all. He was truly a world traveler – in the years before a “wife and camper”, he had travelled extensively on several continents. He always regretted turning down a chance to go to Antarctica – the only place he had wanted to go that he didn’t get to. The last several years were spent in the first home he’d ever owned; still working when he wanted to, mowing his lawn, “mole hunting” and picking his own raspberries for his ice cream every night. The Lord took Cecil home on May 29th, after a short, 16 day battle with cancer. If you ever interacted with Cecil, most likely you will remember him – he was a unique person – one of a kind – and he will be missed. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, June 5 at the Edgewood Bible Church in Edgewood, WA. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and five stepchildren, James Gatlin, Jr. of Hebron, IN; Judith Gatlin of Eau Claire, WI; John (Shawn) Gatlin of Puyallup, WA; Jason (Annita) Gatlin of Federal Way, WA; Jane Gatlin of Dodgeville, WI; six grandchildren and many, many friends.