Clifford Berner Olsen

Cliff was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York. After graduating from Tuckahoe High School, he attended NYU and Columbia University. He then graduated from Marine Corps Flight School in Pensacola, Florida and served in the Pacific Theater as a Marine Pilot during WWII.

After the war, he attended and graduated from Willamette School of Law.

He then moved to with his family to John Day, Oregon where he became the District Attorney for Grant County.

In 1957 Cliff joined the law firm of Anderson, Franklin, Jones & Olsen where he later became a partner. In 1969, Gov. Tom McCall appointed him to the Circuit Court where he served as a judge for over 19 years.

Cliff served on several boards, but was most proud of his time as a member of the John Day City Counsel, President of the Multnomah Bar Association, and President of the Portland Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife Wini Cutsforth; his children Michael Olsen, Janice Richardson, and Karen Frey; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and many other loved ones.

Cliff was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Audley; son Thomas Olsen; wife Laverne Olsen; and wife Elsie Olsen.

He loved his family, golf, the NY Yankees, and pitch.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Salvation Army. Thank you.

A Celebration of the Life of the Honorable Clifford Olsen will be held at Portland Golf Club and Country Club,5900 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, Portland, OR on August 6, 2015 at 2 pm.

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