Wayne Rudy “Oly” Olson
Wayne Rudy “Oly” Olson, whose sense of fun was enjoyed by the whole community, passed away with his family by his side on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in Seattle, Wash., following a lengthy battle with interstitial lung disease.
He was born on Sept. 12, 1951, in Tacoma, Wash., the son of Clara and Rudy Olson. He lived there until 1973, when he traveled by ferry to Sitka with his good friend, Kenny Mahoskey.
He worked for Sitka Sound Seafoods during that summer, and returned the next summer to begin his career with Samson Tug and Barge Company. He worked there until his retirement in 2013.
He married Linda in 1978 and they had two children, Alicia and Casey.
Linda had moved next door to Wayne in Tacoma in 1966. Over the next 10 years, they became best friends. They loved to go “trail riding” in Wayne’s Studebaker or jeep, backpacking in the Olympic Rain Forest, and going to music concerts. Linda joined him in Sitka in 1976. Their daughter Alicia was born in 1979 and son Casey in 1982. As a family, they enjoyed Sunday morning hikes, weekend camp outs, dressing up for parades and making a big deal over the holidays.
Wayne loved a parade. You might remember him as the “pooper scooper” during the Christmas Parade; as a giant halibut for the Alaska Day Parade; or as someone running with a giant pair of scissors.
He loved to dress up. Any occasion for costumes has always been an Olson favorite. He could spend weeks working on minute details. He dressed as Scrooge to ring the Salvation Army bell on Christmas Eve for many years.
He was a prankster. He loved to do something in secret with the hopes of never being discovered. He never took credit, just satisfaction in the reactions. You could always see the sly little smirk forming and know it made his day making someone else’s. If you have found something “odd” tucked in your garden, car or home, you might have been secretly visited by Wayne.
He loved to have fun and with his creative ideas and dry sense of humor, he has left a wealth of memories and stories to share. He had a way of sneaking into your heart.
“You will be missed by many, Wayne,” family said.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Clara, and father, Rudy.
He is survived by his wife Linda; his daughter Alicia and her husband Eric; son Casey and his finance’ Wendi and their daughter Clara; his sister, Sue; Aunt Grace, numerous cousins and many dear friends.
A celebration of Wayne’s life is planned for Saturday, Oct. 1, in Sitka. The time and location will be announced soon.
“Please consider wearing a ‘Wayne inspired’ outfit and sharing your favorite Wayne tale,” a family member said.
“Wayne’s family would like to thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown us throughout Wayne’s illness and since his passing,” the family wrote. “We’re so very blessed to live in Sitka.”