Randy Olson

Randy Olson, our dad and my best friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18 surrounded by family. I made it back to his room just in time to be there before he left us. I am so glad I made it back to spend his final minutes together with my mom, two sisters, wife and mother-in-law. Dad seemed at peace when he took his last breath early that afternoon.

Over the last couple of months, he was able to spend time with many of you in both Kansas City and California. His last trip was with me to spread the ashes of his parents in Aptos where they lived for many years near the Pacific Ocean. We met my Uncle Mark there and spent a couple of wonderful days together finally putting Gene and Lois in their final resting spot at a place that was very special to my dad and his family.

After our stay in Aptos, dad and I drove down Highway 1 to Carmel to spend some time with my aunt and uncle. John and Liz, thanks for hosting us and sharing this time with my dad. When we made it to your place on July 3, we had no idea what was to come the next few weeks.

Dad and I traveled back to Kansas City on July 5. It was a tough day of travel for him. He has been dealing with multiple health issues including Alzheimer's so my hope was that he just needed some rest back at home with mom in KC. Fortunately, Maria, my unbelievable wife, knew it was more than that and we took him to the emergency room on the morning of July 6. Later that day, we were informed that he had developed cancerous tumors in the pancreas and liver. This was a shock to all of us.

We acted quickly with the advice from the medical staff and dad had a stent put in to help with his liver function on the morning of July 8. The procedure was successful and we did see some signs of improvement over the next couple of days. Katie and Lizzie, my two younger sisters and true friends, rushed home from Italy and Brooklyn to be here and we all spent the remaining time with dad at The Healthcare Resort of Leawood. The team there was attentive and took wonderful care of him and our family.

Unfortunately, his health and strength declined quickly and hospice care was initiated on July 17. Thank you to Advanced Home Health & Hospice of Kansas City for their support and guidance once they entered the picture. Also, many thanks to everyone who visited dad in his final days including Jon and Sharon Newcomb, John and Anita Pileggi, Ava Cooper, Jillian Garr, Dr. Jeff Burns, Mark Timmerman and my two amazing sons, Luke and Adam, who had a special bond with their grandpa as they do with all of their grandparents who truly helped Maria and I raise them.

On July 20, we made the final plans for dad to be honored and remembered. There will not be a formal service as that is the wish of dad, mom and us kids. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to share their thoughts, prayers, memories and support. My dad was liked by everyone who knew him and loved by his family, friends, co-workers and the Special Olympics athletes he coached and supported for the last 30 years of his life.

Please don't feel like you have to do anything for our family. We are strong and supporting each other through these tough times. If you do feel the need to show your love in some way, we ask that you make a donation to Special Olympics Kansas in memory of Randy Olson. Checks should be payable to Special Olympics Kansas and can be sent to:

Special Olympics Kansas

Attn. Randy Olson Memorial Fund

5280 Foxridge Drive

Mission, KS 66202

If you prefer to make your donation online to the Randy Olson Special Olympics Kansas Memorial Fund, here is the link that you can copy and paste to do so:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/checkout.square.site/merchant/6BT4XGF5PT694/checkout/X4E7ICK5KI76VOBUV5RFUXMB__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!PYsteSBjlO-dJnKKxACr1PD1fp6sl8GG44tjN2iIAht02hWiAUnFQQU8NzaeBAeTit7H6mWi-PAgiWFjf8wzDdBw5xfcHXA$

My dad loved his family first, then his friends and our friends, and finally the Special Olympics athletes he coached with me for so many years.

Thanks to all of you for your part in the wonderful life of Randy Olson on behalf of the following:

Christina (His wife and partner for the last 56 years); Mark (His brother and best friend for 76 years); Howie, Katie and Lizzie (His three kids who he loved and supported so much); Luke, Emma, Adam, Gib, Isaac, Maggie, Marion and Will (His eight grandchildren who were the pride and joy of his life); Maria, Joe and Tory (His daughter and sons-in-law who he loved like his own kids and who loved him back as a second dad in their lives); Julie, Liz, Polly and Sandy (The four sisters he never had who he truly loved like they were his own sisters); Mica, Sara, Johnny, Annie, Colby, Jamie, Matt and Mark (His nieces and nephews who he cherished and treated like they were his own kids); Joe, John and Dave (His brothers-in-law who bonded and became friends while all trying to win the approval of Grandpa Hod); Rama, Chance, Emma, Gus, Eloise, Gracie, Jake, Ace and Brooke (The dogs he loved and cared for throughout his life).

I could go on and on with the special people (and animals) who loved and were loved by Randy so much. He is now at peace and can join his loved ones who passed before him.

Dad, thanks for the memories, love, friendship and support that you gave to all of us. You were loved and are remembered fondly by so many people.