Services will be at 10:00 AM, on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Visitation for Jim will be from 6 to 7 PM on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Kane Funeral Home.
James Arlan Olson, 73, of Sheridan passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at his residence.
Jim was born on January 2, 1938 to Clarence and Margaret (Zahn) Olson in New England, North Dakota. Clarence died when Jim was eight years old, Margaret later married Ralph Paulsrud.
In High School Jim was very active in basketball, football and junior legion baseball. He graduated in May of 1956 and went into the Navy in July. He was in the National Security Agency stationed in Kami Seya, Japan and honorably discharged from the United States Navy on July 30, 1962.
Jim went to Dickinson State Teachers College in Dickinson, ND where he worked various jobs in order to put himself through school. In May of 1965 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
He met his sweetheart Judy Geck while attending Dickinson State. They were married on August 21, 1965 in St. Patrick’s Church in Dickinson, ND. The couple moved to Dunseith, ND where Jim taught business classes at the High School and coached junior varsity football and basketball. In 1968 Jim graduated with honors being inducted into the Alpha Nu Society from the University of North Dakota with an MBA. The couple then moved to Argyle, MN where Jim was the principal of the Junior and Senior High School.
The fall of 1969 Jim and Judy moved to Minneapolis, MN where Jim studied to be a stockbroker. After completing his training they moved to Bismarck, ND where he worked for Dain, Kalman and Quail. In 1971, they moved to Sheridan and Jim went to work for Piper Jaffrey. November 1979, he opened the first Dean Witter Reynolds office in Wyoming and later opened satellite offices in Gillette, Cody and Jackson in 1985.
Jim was elected to the Sheridan County School District #2 School Board, serving nine years, holding positions in every office. He was a fifty year member of the Elks, Shrine and Scottish Rite. For over thirty years he was very involved in the Dog and Cat Shelter holding various positions on the board of directors and providing constant financial advice while managing its investments. Jim was a forty year member of the Sheridan Country Club and a loyal Lion’s Club member for over forty years. On two different occasions, Jim was invited to go on the “Man of the Year” pack trip with the forest service.
Jim had a love for golf, gardening, researching investment opportunities and reading a wide variety of newspapers, magazines and books. World War II was a hot topic. He researched and read numerous books to understand each country’s stance on the war. With his vast interest in learning, the teacher in Jim continually shared articles and knowledge with people everywhere he went.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, grandparents, and his infant son Dan James Olson. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Kristen Olson of Sheridan, WY, and his sister, Renee (Dean) Rettinger, New England, ND, nieces Meribeth (Wes) Ray, New England, ND, Gina (Glenn) Delabarre, Rapid City, SD, and nephew Perry (Brenda) Rettinger, New England, ND.
Visitation for Jim will be from 6 to 7 PM on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Kane Funeral Home.
Services will be at 10:00 AM, on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Phil Wold officiating. Interment will be in the Sheridan Elks Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Trinity Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter at 84 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
