James Michael Oleson passed from this life on May 17, 2018 in Midwest City with his loving family by his side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Svc and a service celebrating his life will be held on Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Bible Baptist Church on 10th St in Choctaw. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1pm to 5 pm at the funeral home.
Jim was born on November 10, 1942 in Wyandotte, MI to James and Betty Jean (Gulley) Oleson. He was raised in Wyandotte and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1959. Soon after, he enlisted in the US Army where he was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington and in Germany. In 1961, he married Bessie Underwood and they had 4 children.
In the mid 1960’s he received his Associates in Culinary Arts and he would later earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts from Michigan State. He spent 2 years living in Tacoma, WA before returning to Michigan where he was employed as a milk delivery driver. In 1970 he relocated to Tulsa, OK where he worked in construction for several years before moving on to Skiatook, OK where he was employed with Bow Pipeline.
In 1978, Jim opened the Oleson Family Café in Davenport, OK. Two years later he returned to Michigan where he opened a second Oleson Family Café. In 1981 he met the love of his life, Laurel Hayden, and soon after added two more children to his family. Jim taught school for several years before accepting a position as an executive chef with the Michigan Dept. of Corrections. He retired for good in 1999 and in 2011 Jim and Laurel came to the OKC metro area to be closer to most of their kids and grandkids.
Jim was a kind and generous man who enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf, and playing cards. Those who knew Jim well knew his two priorities were his faith and his family. Jim was a loyal member of the Bible Baptist Church in Choctaw and he was never happier than when he was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Jim Oleson was a dedicated husband, a protective father, a loving brother, a proud grandfather, and a trusted friend and he will truly be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Betty Oleson, a sister Marilyn Paquin, and grandson Luke Hopper. He is survived by his best-friend and wife of 37 yrs Laurel Oleson; six children: Cheryl Thomas, James H. Oleson and wife Glenda, Charles M Oleson, Nina Christina Dean, Aaron P. Oleson and wife Rhiannon, and Mark A. Oleson; an adopted daughter Dana Cotton-Mason and husband David; 11 grandchildren: Alicia Skelton, Lindsay Watkins and husband Wesley, Janell Bolt and husband Tim, Brandy Hall and husband Eddy, Michael Oleson, Railey Oleson, Jacob Dean, Logan Dean, Shay Jensen, Sadyrah Jensen, and Monica Jensen; four siblings: Danny Oleson and husband Sharon, Robert Oleson, Jacquelyn Frensley and husband Robert, and Tammy Seelhoefer; 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.advantageokc.com
