George Wesley Olson

"George Wesley Olson passed away peacefully at age 93, surrounded by his family on May 24, 2017. He was born on November 20, 1923 in Hector, Minnesota. George was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Navy as an Ensign. After college he earned his private pilot's license and belonged to an airplane club. He graduated with a Masters Degree from University of Minnesota in Electrical Engineering. He worked as an engineer for Shell Oil Company for 38 years, retiring in 1988 to Covington, LA. He designed generator systems for offshore rigs and was thought of as an engineer's engineer and always a perfect gentleman. George volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He was active in a woodworkers club in Covington, LA. He built toy boats for the Madisonville Boat Festival every year. He was an active member of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mandeville, LA before moving to Baton Rouge in 2007. He was very involved in the First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge where he worked on the financial committee and participated in the Men's Coffee Group. George's hobbies included woodworking, electrical projects, researching family genealogy, traveling and photography. George was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. George is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Phoebe Lindholm Olson; his parents, Edith Ericson Olson and Albert Edward Olson; and his brothers, Robert Edward Olson and Dean Richard Olson. He is survived by five children: Linda Olson Laughlin and her husband, Dr. W. Joseph Laughlin of Baton Rouge, LA, Steven George Olson and his wife Dr. Laurie Heffernan Olson of New Orleans, LA, Bruce Richard Olson of New Orleans, LA, Craig Wesley Olson of Independence, MN and Janet Louise Olson of Baton Rouge, LA. He is survived by nine grandchildren: Scott Christian Laughlin and his wife, Kathryn Koffman Laughlin, Lindsey Ann Olson, Eric Conant Olson, Jessica Lind Olson, Bennett James Rack, Eleanor Sweetland Olson, Elisabeth Conlin Laughlin, Bradford Russell Olson, and Laura Elizabeth Rack. Special thank you to the staff of Hospice in His Care, Nursing Care Connections and Baton Rouge ElderCare for their compassionate care and concern including Pierre Baker, Judy Grace, LaKenya Savage, Shannora Baker, Ann Janette Ennels, Cynthia Jones and Loretta Murphy. Funeral services will be held in the Chapel at the First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA, 930 North Blvd, on Saturday, June 3 at 11:00 am, preceded by visitation at 10:00 am. Internment will be at 3:00 pm at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, 2280 W. 21st Ave, Covington, LA 70433. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are requested for Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.