Paul Bernard Olsen

Paul Bernard Olsen, Jr., passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at his Germantown home on July 21, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Paul B. Olsen, Sr., of Bellerose, Long Island. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Violet, and a daughter, JoAnn Olsen Jones (Jonathan) of Memphis; his brother, Eugene Olsen (Trudy) of Sun City, AZ; and two grandsons, Paul (11) and Andrew (9), both of Memphis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Paul was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 3, 1934. His favorite childhood memory was receiving tickets to Ebbets Field from the fireman’s union to watch the Dodgers play baseball. He never forgave them for moving to Los Angeles. Paul served in the Air Force during the Korean War, and remained in the Air Force Reserve while attending college. He graduated with a degree in business from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, in 1961. Paul joined the Insurance Company of North America shortly after graduation, serving in a variety of roles in New York before relocating with the company to Atlanta, GA, where his daughter JoAnn was born. In 1977, Paul was recruited to Memphis by the Holiday Inn Corporation, where he administered the company’s employee benefits program until his retirement. Paul was a loving husband, devoted father and adoring grandfather. He was an avid fan of the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team and the Memphis Grizzlies. He is deeply missed. A visitation with the family will be held Friday evening, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Memphis Funeral Home (5599 Poplar Ave., 38119). Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Germantown Presbyterian Church (2363 S. Germantown Rd, 38138). Donations are welcomed in lieu of flowers, and can be made to Germantown Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net

Memphis Funeral Home

5599 Poplar Avenue

(901)725-0100