Kenneth Jack Olson

“Then we tore through the fabric of our turbulent world and popped like a cork into a new dimension. Quite suddenly, we were floating in a tranquil blue dream.” -Ken Olson from his short story “Billie.”

Ken Olson was a noted American writer who explored various forms of creative writing, including poetry and short stories. In his introduction to his short stories for the Sky Island Journal, Ken wrote the following:

“Ken Olson was born in 1947 looking for a book to read. When he was ten, he found Mark Twain. After Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, he had a book with him at all times. Without rhyme or reason, writer or genre, he would read the next book that came along. And of course, he dreamed of being a writer. He wrote continuously. He filled notebooks with handwritten stories, mysteries, sci-fi episodes, and epic poems. Personal computers were decades away, but he found a manual Underwood typewriter at a garage sale when the crowd was moving to electric. For the record, he hated electric typewriters. In college (1967/8), his creative writing instructors encouraged him to keep writing. But global politics intervened. He was drafted and sent to Viet Nam in 1969. Ken was exposed to the dioxin Agent Orange and suffered neurological damage as a result. His inability to concentrate affected his reading and writing. The last story he wrote prior to 2013 was completed in 1968. In 2013, he discovered the magic of Haiku poetry and started to write again, one word at a time. He wrote only Haiku for six years. Slowly, he reconnected to the power of words. In 2019, he started writing flash fiction and has published three stories, “Billie”, “Billie Flies Away”, and “Granville Grade.”

He is known for his Haiku poetry with his work published in major Haiku journals nationally and internationally. Ken’s Haiku poetry has been selected for the prestigious Red Moon Anthology four times. Ken was very proud of this accomplishment.

Ken’s writing often draws inspiration from the natural world, such as “Sun Shower” that was discussed in the Portland Press Herald.

Ken has made a mark in the world of Haiku poetry, while also exploring short fiction writing. Ken’s connection to our region and its natural beauty is reflected in his work.

Kenneth Jack Olson was born in Yakima, Washington to Doris Edith (Long) Olson and James Palmer Olson. As a youth, in addition to being highly intelligent, Ken was a strong and gifted athlete. He gained recognition as a standout All Valley athlete being named on First Team in both football and basketball from West Valley High School in Yakima. This was a very exceptional athletic achievement.

Ken grew up in a wonderful, close, and loving family. Ken was named for his Uncle Kenneth Jack Olson who died in World War II, shot out of the sky as a paratrooper. Ken was honored by this naming.

Ken’s parents took their five children on great adventures. Ken said that he was fortunate to have parents who loved nature – he grew up on horseback in the Cascade Mountains. The family went to Hood’s Canal where everyone water skied from morning ‘til night, devouring freshly shucked oysters from the family beach on the canal.

Ken told tales about sister Jeannie’s Tampico ranch land where the seasonal hop harvest was done by members of the Yakama Nation, for whom he had a great fondness. The Yakamas interacted so kindly with a very young Ken Olson who was in total awe of them. In return, they gave Ken gifts, and they taught the little cowboy how to make a bow and arrow to continue with his creative play.

Ken had a tremendous love of nature, wild life and his beloved dogs. Lily, the Cairn Terrier being his favorite along with Rat Terrier, Doozy Blues.

Ken is survived by his younger brother Jim Olson, Jr., sisters Jean Myer, Susan Henderson, and Sally Abshire along with many nieces and nephews. Friend and Brother-In-Law Don Olson. Annette Olson, his wife of 28 years, who loved him so very dearly.

Special thanks to all the Veterans Administration representatives who have been so helpful. And especially a big ‘Thank You’ goes to Byron Kent, DAV Chapter 8 Service Officer, Yakima, Washington, who made things happen for Ken in so many ways. Also, thanks to the friends who have been so supportive, Terry Lockett, Kelli Barton, and Sue Schauer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the St. Joseph’s Ahtanum Mission, 17740 Ahtanum Rd, Yakima, Washington at 11:00 a.m. with a picnic potluck to follow. All are welcome. Please bring your favorite dish and a folding chair.