Gerald Leslie Olson
January 19, 1934 ~ June 5, 2026
Gerald Leslie Olson, affectionately known as Jerry, was a man of deep faith, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. He passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at the age of 92, with his beloved wife, Amelyn, by his side.
Jerry was born on January 19, 1934, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Werner Olson and Margaret Hoes Olson. One of twelve children, he grew up in a large family where faith, hard work, and perseverance were part of everyday life. Proud of his Swedish heritage, Jerry learned responsibility at an early age, delivering newspapers through the cold Michigan winters. Those early experiences helped shape the strong work ethic, resilience, and determination that would guide him throughout his life.
Jerry honorably served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1955 and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. During his military service, he worked with the Chaplain Corps, an experience that reflected the Christian faith that remained central to his life.
After leaving the Army, Jerry worked a variety of jobs while pursuing his college education before eventually building a successful career as a State Farm insurance agent in Southern California. Known for his integrity, professionalism, and dedication to serving others, he earned the trust and friendship of many clients throughout his career. For Jerry, insurance was more than a business. It was an opportunity to help individuals and families protect what mattered most to them. Many of his clients remained loyal for years, appreciating not only his expertise but also his genuine concern for their well-being.
Jerry enjoyed fine automobiles and had a particular fondness for Jaguars and other luxury cars. Friends and colleagues often joked that most people replaced a car battery when it wore out. Jerry simply replaced the car.
Travel was one of Jerry’s lifelong passions. He enjoyed exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and experiencing the beauty of God’s creation. Over the years, he traveled extensively, visiting the Amazon rainforest and numerous countries across several continents. Whether traveling close to home or across the world, Jerry approached each journey with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a sense of adventure.
Jerry also loved recreational vehicle travel and embraced the freedom that came with life on the road. During the early years of his marriage to Amelyn, the couple spent nearly a year living in an RV, traveling across the United States from California to Michigan. Those travels allowed them to explore new places, meet new people, and create memories they would cherish for years to come. The experience reflected Jerry’s adventurous spirit and his enjoyment of discovering the world beyond his own backyard.
Jerry also had a lifelong love of photography. He enjoyed capturing moments through the lens of a camera and carefully preserved photographs from his travels, projects, and everyday experiences. Over the years, he amassed boxes of Kodak slides and photographs that documented the people, places, and memories that were meaningful to him.
Music was another constant source of joy in his life. Whether in the bedroom, kitchen, office, or living room, there always seemed to be music playing somewhere nearby. Jerry strategically placed record players, radios, and other music systems throughout the house so that his favorite songs were never far away. Music brought him comfort, inspiration, and companionship throughout his life and filled his home with warmth.
Jerry loved serving in his church and sharing his faith with others. Over the years, he preached sermons, gave Bible studies, visited church members and friends in their homes, and encouraged those who were struggling. He believed that faith was something to be lived and shared, not merely spoken about. Whether standing behind a pulpit, sitting at a kitchen table studying the Scriptures, or offering a word of encouragement, Jerry found joy in helping others draw closer to God.
One of the most meaningful experiences of his life was joining a missionary team in the Philippines during the 1990s. The experience left a lasting impression on him, and he continued to support the refurbishment of churches and schools in the Visayan region through financial contributions and volunteer work. He also sponsored students and took great satisfaction in helping young people pursue educational opportunities.
From 2002 to 2004, Jerry and his wife, Amelyn, served with the 1000 Missionary Movement. Together they taught English to international students, shared their Christian faith, and promoted principles of healthy living that emphasized the connection between physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The friendships they formed and the lives they touched during those years remained among Jerry’s most treasured memories.
He was never content simply to support a cause from the sidelines. Whether refurbishing churches and schools or working on projects around the 1000 Missionary Movement campus, Jerry believed in rolling up his sleeves and helping wherever he was needed. On one memorable occasion, he climbed high into the ceiling to paint despite Amelyn’s concerns for his safety. His determination and occasional stubbornness became part of the stories family and friends would lovingly remember.
Jerry also generously shared his time and talents with graduate students. He assisted some students with editing theses, dissertations, academic papers, and special projects, offering thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and meticulous attention to detail. Those who worked with him often remembered not only his skill, but also his kindness, patience, and willingness to help others succeed.
Jerry had a gift for staying connected with people. He took time to write letters of encouragement, faithfully remembered birthdays with cards and thoughtful messages, and often looked for small ways to brighten someone’s day. He also looked out for his neighbors, returning trash bins to their yards and lending a helping hand whenever it was needed.
At home, that same spirit was equally evident. Believing he was helping, he once heavily pruned Amelyn’s lavender plants because he was convinced they were dead. When Amelyn discovered what he had done, Jerry confidently assured her that the plants would grow back. They never did. From that day forward, Amelyn jokingly declared him “off limits” from gardening. Undeterred, Jerry continued watering and caring for her plants in his own way. The story became a cherished reminder of his loving heart, good intentions, and willingness to help even when the results were not quite what he had planned.
Jerry embraced Amelyn’s family as his own and quickly became a beloved part of it. He was always willing to help, whether it meant picking up nieces and nephews from school, providing transportation, helping family members settle into a new home, assisting with childcare, or simply being there when someone needed a hand. The children especially loved spending time with Uncle Jerry. Although he had been instructed not to give them sweets, he was known to keep a secret stash of chocolate bars that somehow found their way into eager little hands. His generosity, dependability, and willingness to show up for others created treasured family memories.
Jerry was a devoted husband and steadfast supporter of Amelyn’s educational and professional journey. He stood beside her as she completed both her Master’s degree and Doctor of Public Health degree and embraced every new chapter that life brought them. Jerry and Amelyn shared a life marked by faith, partnership, adventure, and a commitment to serving others. In 2017, they traveled from South Carolina to California to begin a new chapter on the West Coast, with Jerry doing all of the driving. Knowing that Amelyn disliked driving, he happily provided door-to-door rides to work and countless other destinations for many years.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Amelyn “Amy” Olson; his daughter, Denise Mobley, her husband, Mark, and their family; his daughter, Debra Wait, her husband, Jeff, and their family; his sister, Joyce Thorsen; his sister, Janet Rasmussen and her husband, William Rasmussen; his brother, Glenn Olson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, David Olson; his parents, Werner Olson and Margaret Hoes Olson; and eight siblings.
Many will remember Jerry’s warm smile, adventurous spirit, steadfast faith, and quiet acts of kindness. He lived not for recognition or acclaim, but for the opportunity to serve God, care for those he loved, and help others in both small and meaningful ways. Whether through a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or a lifetime of faithful service, Jerry left a lasting impression on the many lives he touched. His legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of family, friends, and all who were blessed to know him.
While Jerry’s absence leaves a profound void in the lives of those who loved him, his family finds comfort in the promises of God and the hope of the resurrection. As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, they look forward with confidence to the blessed resurrection morning, when Jerry will awaken to the voice of Jesus and be reunited with loved ones in God’s everlasting kingdom. Until that day, his memory remains a cherished blessing to all who knew and loved him.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Eggen & Lance Mortuary, 1540 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95401.
Following the memorial service, family, friends, and guests are invited to remain for refreshments and fellowship.
