Danny Roy Olson

Danny Roy Olson was born on June 8, 1934 in Sioux City, Iowa, to Roy and Marie Olson as a blonde- haired, blue-eyed baby. Soon after his birth, the family, which included Danny’s older sister, Joyce, packed up and left Iowa in the midst of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl era, travelling west in search of a better life.

The family settled in San Diego, California, where Roy became a baker, opening and operating his own bakery in the North Park area of San Diego, while Marie was a homemaker. The Olson’s were members of Saint Patrick Catholic Parish, where Danny attended school for his elementary education. Danny then attended Hoover High School, where he not only graduated, but more importantly, where he met his life’s love and his wife-to-be, Gloria Rose Cicero, in 1951.

Danny graduated from Hoover High School in 1952, and upon graduating, volunteered to join the U.S. Army, where he served in the infantry. While in the Army, Danny and Gloria stayed in contact through letters and long-distance phone calls while Danny was stationed in Germany.

Danny was honourably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1956, returned to San Diego and, shortly thereafter, asked Gloria to marry him, to which she answered “Yes!” Danny and Gloria were married in Blessed Sacrament Parish, San Diego, on November 17, 1956. They began their married life in San Diego, where they had the first two of their three children, first Larry, and then David.

Danny and Gloria left San Diego in 1964, and ultimately settled in Redlands, California, where they became members of Sacred Heart Parrish, and were blessed with the birth of their third child, Juliann, in 1967.

Seeking a career that would allow him to spend at least part of his day outside, Danny began his professional career as a civil engineering technician/inspector for the County of San Bernardino Public Works Department in the Engineering Division. There, he met his mentor and boss, Howard Porter. During this time, Howard gave Danny and Gloria sage advice that would forever change the trajectory of their and their children’s lives. In short, Howard advised Danny that despite his talent and work ethic, he would not fulfil his professional potential without an engineering degree.

After much thought, discussion and reflection, Danny and Gloria heeded Howard’s advice, and at the age of 34, Danny applied for, and was accepted into, the School of Engineering at Tri State College in Angola, Indiana, Mr. Porter’s alma mater. In the fall of 1969, Danny and Gloria sold their home in Redlands, packed up their belongings and young children, and headed for the Midwest. There, Danny immersed himself in his studies, while Gloria worked at the college in the administration department to support the family. Danny earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 3 and ½ years, one semester early, graduating in 1972.

Upon graduating, the Olson family returned to Redlands, where Danny was rehired by the County of San Bernardino, this time as a Civil Engineer. After several years with the County, Danny was offered a job with Kaufman & Broad, a residential developer/owner-builder. Danny accepted that position, where he gained valuable experience in the home building and development industry as a project manager for major residential projects throughout Southern California, including projects in the burgeoning and newly developed Anaheim Hills area of Orange County, California.

That career path ultimately led Danny to a position with Beezer Homes, an Atlanta-based residential developer/owner-builder, by whom Danny was employed for the next several decades. Working in Beezer’s Orange County division, Danny worked for and collaborated with another of his mentors, Gerry Gates, where Danny’s career continued with an upward arc.

Following years of success with Gerry and the rest of Beezer’s OC team, Danny was ultimately offered a position with Beezer Homes’ Houston, Texas division in 1995, at the age of 61. There, the combination of Danny’s education, years of experience, and committed work ethic provided him with the opportunity to pursue his dream job in Beezer’s Houston and Dallas-Ft. Worth divisions, as a key team member developing and entitling land for what would become spectacular residential projects.

With the exception of Danny’s college years in Indiana, Danny and Gloria were otherwise lifelong residents of Southern California. Nonetheless, upon moving to Texas, they embraced this new chapter of their lives with enthusiasm, and quickly assimilated into the dynamic Houston culture, with its amazing restaurants and vibrant arts scene. These were truly the pinnacle years of Danny’s career and an amazingly fun and rewarding period in Danny and Gloria’s marriage. Indeed, Danny loved what he was doing so much so that he continued his work with Beezer Homes, and Danny and Gloria remained residents of Houston, until Danny reached his early eighties.

Despite the career success that Danny realized, and the happiness and joy he and Gloria experienced in Houston, all good things often come to an end, and after a long and storied career, Danny retired in the early 2010’s. He and Gloria returned to California, to a beautiful home with spectacular views in Running Springs, a home that they had previously designed and constructed before their move to Houston. After their return, Danny and Gloria were members of Redlands Country Club, where Danny pursued his love for, and occasional frustration with, the game of golf, playing several rounds each week weather permitting.

Danny and Gloria left their mountain retreat and returned to Redlands in the spring of 2024 so that they could be closer to daughter Juli and her family.

On April 29, 2025, Danny passed peacefully in his sleep, just shy of his 91st birthday, in his own home and in the presence of his beloved wife.

Danny leaves behind Gloria, the love of his life and wife of 69 years; three children: Larry (Rhonda), David, and Juli Ford (Ted); six grandchildren: Tammy, Kenny, Michael, Dani, Charlotte and Kayla; and five amazing great grandchildren.

Danny will be missed beyond that which words can possibly express, but his presence and spirit will live on, and will be cherished in the hearts, souls and memories of his family.