Carl J. Olson

Obituary Carl J. Olson Carl J. Olson was born on March 15, 1924 in Tacoma, WA to Eva and Joel Olson and passed away unexpectedly on February 5, 2016 in Federal Way, WA. Carl attended Puyallup public schools and recently received his honorary diploma as a member of the 1942 graduating class of Puyallup High School. Carl's high school years were interrupted due to economic decisions and midway through his sophomore year began working for Purity Dairy, owned by his father. He was proud of the fact that he never missed a single day of work as a milkman for 10 straight years. Carl then started up his own company, Twin Creek Dairy, and operated it for three years before spending the next 26 years with Sanitary-Infant Dairy. At various times he also worked for Hygrades and Hunt Cannery at night doing odd jobs to help out his family. He married Dolores Leahey on June 12, 1946 and resided in Tacoma until moving to Fife in 1952 with his wife and three young children - Steve, Cheryl, and Sandi. A fourth child Cindy was born in 1958. Upon retirement, his good friend Dave Murray hired Carl to work odd jobs for the Murray Disposal Company. Carl's versatility as a painter, gardener, jack-of-all-trades and incredible work ethic served him well. Carl loved sports. At Riverside Elementary it was the high jump and shot put that captured his interest at the annual Grade School track meets. During his high school years and beyond, playing basketball in a City and Church League was his passion. He loved going to his son's ball games and doting on his daughters. "Grandpa Carl" rarely missed a chance to see his seven grandchildren participate in ballet recitals, T-ball, Little League games, soccer, high school and college sports, concerts, homecoming coronations, daffodil parades, graduations and various other activities that kept them busy. He was always there to root them on and compliment them afterwards. Carl was a member of the Dairy & Creamers Local 951 Teamsters, the Riverside Grange, the Fife Lions Club, The Moose Lodge and the Puyallup Elks. Among Carl's list of favorite things was playing pinochle, horseshoes with friends in Mesa, AZ, traveling in his motor home, serving as MC for occasional Woodman of the World conventions, gardening at home, his beach place, and relaxing in Mesa and Hood Canal. Among the list of memorable attributes cherished by his children and grandchildren are: his jokes and one-liners, his incredible strong-as-an-ox strength, his kind-heartedness, his love and devotion to Dolores and Mary, teaching his children their Catechism, his stubbornness (I will TOO clean the gutters at age 88!), and his nicknames of "Curl" and "You Old Coot!". Carl is survived by his dear friend and companion of 30 years, Mary Errigo; son, Steven (Marie); daughters, Cheryl Blau (Marc), and Sandi Ulrich (Lou); grandchildren, Jennifer (Duncan), Kevin (Stacy), Brian (Andrea), Kyle (Devon), CJ, Kristin (Jon), and Chad; and great-grandchildren, Kellen and Evelyn Wilk, Makenna Ulrich, Remy Ulrich, and Carter Wood. He was preceded in death by wife, Dolores; and daughter, Cindy Lou; sisters, Dorothy Olson and Doris Hagerud; and parents, Joel and Eva Olson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (262 Danny Thomas Drive, Memphis, TN 38105) or the charity of your choice. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Carl's life and the many friendships made over the years will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Fife, WA. Viewing will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma, WA. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.