Memorial service: 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home of Buffalo. Cremation rites were accorded. Burial at 3 p.m. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville.
Gene Paul Olson, 83, was born Feb. 13, 1931, in Bassett, Neb., the son of Melvin Philip and Lucille (Nelson) Olson. He died Dec. 14, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
He was united in marriage with Patricia Ann Wentzel on Sept. 1, 1951, in Omaha, Neb.
He joined the Navy Reserves in 1951, and was activated for service during the Korean War as an enlisted radioman. He rose to radioman first class and was selected for the Seaman-to-Admiral program. He was selected for Supply Corps community and was on active duty for 30 years achieving the rank of captain. He served on afloat tours as disbursing officer, USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849) and assistant supply officer USS Altair (AKS-32).
He also had multiple tours in Norfolk, Va., including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Naval Station, Norfolk, and multiple tours at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He retired from The Navy Resale Service Office in Staten Island, N.Y. Though he had a fulfilling career of over 30 years, he cherished his time as an enlisted radar operator with aviation squadron VP-1 out of Whidbey Island, Wash., flying the P-2V Neptune aircraft.
He was also very proud of his actions in support of the Nationalist Chinese evacuations from China to Formosa during 1954-1955.
Upon retirement his family settled in Elkland, where he and his wife continued to reside.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia; four sons: Michael and wife, Susan Olson, Stephen and wife, Elaine Olson, James and wife, Jessica Olson, and Robert and wife, Jana Olson; 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth Olson, Katherine and husband, Eric Detweiler, Abigail, Hailey, James, Ryan, Rachel, Graham and Emma Olson and Drew Herring; two great-grandchildren: Pixie Herring and Milo Detweiler; a sister, Betty Peterson; a sister-in-law, Sharon Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
