Capt. Gerard Robert Olson, USN Retired, who loved to tell everyone that he preferred to be known as Daddy ‘O’, passed away peacefully, into the hands of the Lord, on Friday, the 10th of August, 2018, only five days after the celebration of his 87th Birthday.
Born on August 5th, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, yet residing in St. Paul, to Helen Sophia and Robert Eugene Olson, he was the last surviving member of “the Olson brothers”, preceded in death by his older infant brother, Gerald, and two younger brothers, Tom and Bobby.
Daddy ‘O’ is survived by his loving wife of twenty-one years, Mary Louise (Rockwell) Olson, better known as ‘Mary Lou’, and was predeceased by his first wife, Anne Elizabeth (Timmons) Olson, to whom he was married for 40 years.
He was loved and will be missed by his four children and their families: Sue and Jerry Cox, their three children: Nathan, Natalie (husband Charles Crandall, great grandchild Henry) and Nicholas (wife Danielle, great grandchild Calvin); Maryann Olson Barry and her son Kevin; Peter Olson; and, Eric and Pam Olson and their two children Kayla (husband Taylor Mihaly), and Kyle.
Daddy ‘O’ was also adored by his four stepchildren and their families: Bill and Valerie Rockwell, his daughters Emily and Megan; Thomas Rockwell; David and Elizabeth Rockwell, their four children Samantha (step-great-grandchildren Jacob, Quinn, and Finley), Matthew, Lauren, and Mary; and, Steven and Angela Rockwell and their five children Brittany, Sarah, Nicholas, Rachel, and Amanda.
Jerry (as he was known in his US Navy days) had an exciting and fulfilling 30-plus year career in the US Navy, from his days as a cadet, to receiving his Naval Aviator wings in 1954, and then on to a number of commands. This passion took him, and his family, to multiple naval bases in the states, and cruises to various ports all over the world. He was proud to serve his family and country, and retired at the rank of captain in 1979.
After his retirement from the Navy, he fulfilled a life-long dream of building houses by working with family on various projects, both residential and commercial, for more than three decades. Most of that time he was associated with BECO Construction Company, from which he retired at the age of 86, last year.
His lifelong hobby of restoring antique cars, led him to belong to and hold leadership positions with various vintage car clubs in the area. The twilight years of his life were filled with time spent with family, as well as traveling the world with his beloved wife, Mary Lou.
Jerry loved the Lord and was very active as a parishioner at Ascension Catholic Church where he served in various ministries including The Knights of Columbus. His strong faith guided him throughout his life, even until his final days on this Earth.
Visitation and viewing will be held at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462 on Sunday, August 12th from 4 to 6 PM. A Funeral Mass with full Military Honors will be held at Church of the Ascension 4853 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462 on Monday, August 13th at 2 PM. A reception will follow in the Ascension Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Church of the Ascension's Social Ministry.
