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Eugene Kenneth “Ken” Olson
08/22/1934 — 09/03/2014
From Pasco, WA, USA | Born in Monroe, Washington
Eugene Kenneth “Ken” Olson
Eugene Kenneth Olson, 80, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2014.
Ken was born on August 22, 1934 to Carl and Eugenia Olson in Monroe, Washington, where he grew up on the family farm, was a member of FFA and played on the high school football team. He attended Western Washington University, where he met Lorrine, his wife of 58 years. They moved to Richland in 1956, where he began his lifelong work of teaching and coaching in the community.
Ken taught elementary P.E. at Spalding, Marcus Whitman, and Jason Lee schools and coached football, softball, wrestling and track at Richland and Hanford High Schools, inspiring and mentoring tens of thousands of kids over his 30+ year career.
His love of sports and coaching led to a legacy of many team successes. In 10 years as the Bomber's head softball coach he compiled a record of 146 wins and only 42 losses, including 5 league championships, 6 district championships, 9 state playoff appearances, and 2 undefeated back-to-back league seasons. He was voted Big 9 "Coach of the Year" three times. And as the RHS JV football coach for 11 years, he compiled an impressive record of 89 wins and 19 losses.
Ken was also widely recognized as an outstanding wrestling official. He was inducted into the Washington State Hall of Fame in 1988 and was given the Meritorious Service Award from the Washington State Officials Association in 1989.
He was a well-loved and respected member of the community who never forgot a student's name, was unfailingly optimistic and smiling, and never gave up in his 20-year fight with Parkinson's disease.
Ken leaves behind beloved wife Lorrine and six children: Debbie Tortorelli, April King Joe, Marc Olson Melanie, Harlan Olson, Gregor Olson Lissa and Shelley Olson; and six grandchildren: Carly, Dean, Katie, Shane, Kenny and Grayce.
He will be dearly missed by family, friends, and the thousands of students whose lives he touched. A graveside service will be held at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13 followed by a celebration of life.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help fight Parkinson's disease.
Thoughts and prayers are with you Shelley and your entire family.
Mrs. Olson and family, I am very sorry for what you are going through. It was such an honor having Mr. Olson as my AAU Track coach and PE teacher at Spalding Elementary; those memories will be with me forever. He was a positive influence for me and many others.
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Marc and family,
I am so glad to have gotten to know your family through the festivities surrounding your wedding. Although your dad was already far along in his battle with Parkinson’s, I have clear memories of him laughing and smiling and both enjoying himself and taking pride in you as his son.
Frank and I send all our love, as do the kids.
Shauna
To All The Olson Families: So sorry to see the passing of your father. I can’t say enough about this great and special person he was to me. April, it was so nice to have again reunited with him after all these year’s and have that opportunity to say hello. Prayer’s will follow as you all go through this difficult time but know he will never be forgotten.
B.P.O.Elks No. 2755 would like to share their condolences with the Olson family. Coach Olson was a dedicated member of the Elks for 50 years. Coach was loved by all. memories of Coach were shared last night at our meeting in the Lodge. Fraternally, Tri-Cities Elks #2755
To the entire Olson clan, what a great man. From a student at Jason Lee to his player at RHS. Always the highest respect for Coach Olson and his ability to teach and instruct. The Bombers were taught well and Coach Olson was a big part of that legacy that lives on in some of those coaches and leaders at that school and other schools and businesses as well.
Thanks Coach, you are missed.
Shelley, Greg and family I am so very sorry for your loss. Your Dad was an amazing person. I want to say thank you for sharing him with me. Rest in Peace Coach you are one of the greats…
Dawald, Juricich, Rish, Covington, Piippo, and now Olson….all gone. The anchors of Richland athletics that influenced 1000’s of kids and made them better people. The saddest thing is today’s kids will never experience the wisdom and heart of these pillars. You’ll be miss, Ken. Rest in peace.
Ken sounds like a wonderful man – may his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences to the family at this time.
Dear April and Shelly – so sorry for the loss of your Dad. What a nice tribute you all have prepared for him. May the many thoughts and prayers of family and friends give you comfort during this difficult time. God Bless
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a class act. I have a lot of fond memories of him when he coached both of my sons, Scott and Jim. Most of all, the fun times when Ken and Teverbaugh umpired our fast-pitch softball games.
Ron Feaster
My deepest sympathy to Harlan & Greg Olson and the Olson Family on the passing of your loved one.
RuthStephensHolesworth
Thoughts and prayers are with you Shelley and your entire family.
Mrs. Olson and family, I am very sorry for what you are going through. It was such an honor having Mr. Olson as my AAU Track coach and PE teacher at Spalding Elementary; those memories will be with me forever. He was a positive influence for me and many others.
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Marc and family,
I am so glad to have gotten to know your family through the festivities surrounding your wedding. Although your dad was already far along in his battle with Parkinson’s, I have clear memories of him laughing and smiling and both enjoying himself and taking pride in you as his son.
Frank and I send all our love, as do the kids.
Shauna
To All The Olson Families: So sorry to see the passing of your father. I can’t say enough about this great and special person he was to me. April, it was so nice to have again reunited with him after all these year’s and have that opportunity to say hello. Prayer’s will follow as you all go through this difficult time but know he will never be forgotten.
B.P.O.Elks No. 2755 would like to share their condolences with the Olson family. Coach Olson was a dedicated member of the Elks for 50 years. Coach was loved by all. memories of Coach were shared last night at our meeting in the Lodge. Fraternally, Tri-Cities Elks #2755
To the entire Olson clan, what a great man. From a student at Jason Lee to his player at RHS. Always the highest respect for Coach Olson and his ability to teach and instruct. The Bombers were taught well and Coach Olson was a big part of that legacy that lives on in some of those coaches and leaders at that school and other schools and businesses as well.
Thanks Coach, you are missed.
Shelley, Greg and family I am so very sorry for your loss. Your Dad was an amazing person. I want to say thank you for sharing him with me. Rest in Peace Coach you are one of the greats…
Dawald, Juricich, Rish, Covington, Piippo, and now Olson….all gone. The anchors of Richland athletics that influenced 1000’s of kids and made them better people. The saddest thing is today’s kids will never experience the wisdom and heart of these pillars. You’ll be miss, Ken. Rest in peace.
Ken sounds like a wonderful man – may his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences to the family at this time.
Dear April and Shelly – so sorry for the loss of your Dad. What a nice tribute you all have prepared for him. May the many thoughts and prayers of family and friends give you comfort during this difficult time. God Bless
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a class act. I have a lot of fond memories of him when he coached both of my sons, Scott and Jim. Most of all, the fun times when Ken and Teverbaugh umpired our fast-pitch softball games.
Ron Feaster
My deepest sympathy to Harlan & Greg Olson and the Olson Family on the passing of your loved one.
RuthStephensHolesworth
Expressing our deepest sympathy for the Olson family. We’ve been fortunate enough to have Shelley as a dear friend and feel like we know Ken from all the stories she has shared over the years. He must have been pretty special to raise such great kids. Thinking of all of you during this time.
Mindy & Michael O’Toole
I worked with Ken at Spaulding in the early 70s, and then Claudia and I taught with Ken at Jason Lee for many years. Ken always brightened up the teachers’ lounge with beautiful dahlias, and once a year without fail brought delicious Norwegian cookies. Ken was an important member of the faculty and liked by all.
I am saddened to see Ken’s passing. He was an all around wonderful man and great educator. I enjoyed getting to know Ken when we worked together at Jason Lee Elementary. He will be missed! Heaven has a new angel.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ken. He was an amazing man and he and Lorrine raised such wonderful children. We know he will be deeply missed by his entire family and those lives that he inspired in his years as a teacher and coach.
The Joel Thomas Family
Dear Shelley,
I’m thinking of you during this tough time. May the memories of your dad keep a smile in your heart.
Maggie
I am so very sorry for you loss, Lorrine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Larna Montgomery Hively
Mr. Olson was a wonderful PE teacher. I can still remember him from when I attended Marcus Whitman Elementary 1956-1963.
My condolences on the passing of Ken. He was a great guy and coach and one of my favorite Bombers all though my high school days and all the years we were friends after. I have great memories of Ken and Frank Teverbaugh umpiring my baseball games at Hanford High in the mid 70’s. We go back along time and I always respected his rapport with kids, his caring and his commitment for so many years. He meant a great deal to so many and I know I’ll miss him. Those old Bombers who meant so much to so many of us are sadly leaving but we are the better for having them in our lives. RIP Ollie.
My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you, Shelley. I know how amazing your father is, from coaching to raising such an amazing daughter.
Love,
Dana
I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a great Teacher, Coach. He always knew everyone.
My heart felt condolences to the Olson family. I have great memories of Mr. Olson at Spaulding and as my football coach thru high school. What a tremendous leader, teacher, coach and family man. We all are better because of the direction he shared. He truly will be missed. Thanks Coach!
Deepest sympathies. ..
Tony Ott and Family
When I went to Col-Hi from 61-64, we always went to Hi-Spot dances on Saturday nights at the Community House. Ken and Lorrine were the chaperones. They were so sweet , and now I realize, young at the time! Thanks to them, we all had a great, fun place to go on Saturday nights.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Milan & Karen Westenskow
To the Olson Family: We are so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. Not only was he an excellent coach and educator, he was a darn good fisherman, as Doyle said. May all your memories of him sustain you at this time. Our best wishes to the entire family. Kim and Doyle
Mr. Olson was young, enthusiastic, and fun. The kind of role model and teacher that you always appreciated and never forgot. I’m still thinking about him from Spaulding in the mid 1950’s. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Guestbook for
Eugene Kenneth “Ken” Olson