Clarence G. Olson

Clarence Olson was born in Portland August 4, 1927 to Joseph and Theresa Olson. They soon moved to Vancouver where he grew up with his nine siblings. He joined the Army at the end of WWII and worked in the Pentagon in the film and photo department. He attended Clark College and Western Washington University.

He started his career at the family’s business and then onto his career as a lighting sales representative with EOFF Electric, Platt Electric, and North Coast Electric. He then joined two friends in their business eventually becoming Electro Reps Northwest. In the later years, he worked as a lighting consultant at Cascade Lighting until he retired at the age of 80 years old. Along the way, Clarence gathered a large group of very good friends and golf partners that continued to meet for lunch and visit him to the end.

Clarence married the love of his life, Helen DuPree in 1958. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2008 but Helen passed away after a long battle with cancer in December of 2007. Always and forever an optimist, Clarence was a glass half full kind of guy. Never one to complain, and quick with a smile and an air kiss, he greeted everyone as if they were a long lost friend.

Clarence was a wonderful father to his two daughters, Susan and Kathryn. They always knew they were lucky girls to have him as their dad. And when grandchildren came along, he was on cloud nine. Although, he probably wished at least one of his four grandsons had taken up the game of golf so he could pass on his skills to the next generation.

Family was of upmost importance to Clarence. Serving as Santa at the large Christmas gatherings at Grandma Olson’s house to being the grill master at family BBQs, and clam feeds at the Olson Cabin in Ocean Park, Clarence was most happy surrounded by those he loved. He was very proud of his Swedish heritage and even though he loved to travel and had been to many countries with Helen during their marriage, he never made it to his parent’s homeland.

Clarence is survived by his daughters, Susan Graham (Glenn) and Kathryn Lougheed (Bill), his grandsons James and Erik Lougheed and Brian and Peter Graham, his brother Calvin Olson, sister Dorothy Pederson and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Park Hill Cemetery at 1:00 pm Sunday, March 1st followed by a reception at First United Methodist Church in Vancouver.