James "Poptart" R. Olson

James R. Olson went Home to God on April 30th, 2025. Like many things in his life, he did it his way. Born on May 10th, 1956, he was a Gloversville native and was well-known in the community. Jim came with many nicknames from those who knew him and loved him - Jimmy, Superman, and the infamous Poptart.

He was a Man who believed in having good character and treating everyone with respect, above all else. He believed in hard work, loving your Family, protecting his loved ones, and using humor to get through life even at inappropriate times. He was a devoted Husband, Father, and Papa. He believed that you didn’t need anything else in life, as long as you had Family (and good food).

He leaves behind a life filled with adventure and excitement. Many of his hobbies included racing, whether it was trucks on sand drag strips or street stocks on the dirt, he had a thrill for “going fast and taking chances”. He enjoyed spending time scuba-diving and would often tell stories of the “logs that swam away” at the Conklinville dam. Aside from his hobbies, he would often tell stories of his days working alongside his Father at Papa’s glove factory in Gloversville, NY. He would then move on to become an advanced EMT with Fulton County Ambulance Service, a CPR & First Aid instructor, a dispatcher for Fulton County, a Corporal at the Fulton County Correctional Facility, a road Deputy for Fulton County Sheriff’s department, an officer for Canajoharie police department, a hazmat tractor trailer driver, and eventually retiring from his seat as Honorable James R. Olson (Town of Bleecker) where he was awarded Magistrate of the year for New York State (Fulton County) in 2013.

He is predeceased by his Father (Richard Harold Olson), his loving grandparents who raised him (Sadie and Harold Yngve Olson “Olsson” - Yngve being an immigrant from Lund, Sweden)

He is survived by the love of his life and sidekick of 38 years, Bridgett M. Olson and their children Thomas-James Y. Olson (TJ) and Linnéa-Elizabeth M. Melucci, his stepson Mark B. Hime and many grandchildren who he loved and cherished; Wesson & Eleanor, Colt & Briar, Trenton, Madeline & Hunter; His sister, Susan C Thompson. His loving nieces, Codie Montanye & Marcy Montanye. His nephews Kevin Barkley & Paul DeRocker and niece, Cassie Smith. He is also survived by his K9 companion and “baby” Dudley Olson.

There will be no calling hours or services, per his wishes. In his memory we ask that you make a donation to the Fulton County Sheriffs Department K-9 unit, fcs Association, c/o FCSO, P.O. Box, 20, Johnstown, NY, 12095 (please make sure the memo says K9) and never forget to always do what’s right and put your Family first.

If you were lucky enough to have known Poptart, please share your stories and remember him with a smile or a laugh.