William "Rod" Olson

Former Cathlamet resident William “Rod” Olson passed away on October 23, 2011, with his family at his side.

Rod was born January 30, 1927. in Portland, Oregon and passed away in Tacoma, Washington.

He has gone before us to heaven to await his wife, Jo, of 58 years and their three children: Sheryl (Chet), Jean (Ron), and Bill (Rosalia), 5 grandchildren: Brett (Brookann), Kristen, Brittany, Megan, Andrew, and 3 great grandchildren: Abigail, Tyler, Avan and 2 brothers: Robert and Richard Snyder. honors will be held 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE. 240th Street, Kent, WA. 98042.

Rod graduated from Wahkiakum High School in Cathlamet in 1945. Summers and during school he delivered groceries for Doumit’s Grocery Store, was a log truck driver, and drove truck for Snyder’s Service Station. He served in the US Army in the 7th Division 32nd Infantry in the Pacific. Upon discharge from the army, Rod attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration. Most of his working years were in the public utility business – 43 years total - working with Wahkiakum PUD in Cathlamet, Parkland Light & Water and Elmhurst Power & Light both in Tacoma.

He was a member of the Cathlamet Fire Department and Grays River Grange.

Rod’s wife, Jo, was a high school teacher for 5 years in Cathlamet. It was here that they met and began their life together. His 2 daughters, Sheryl and Jean, were born in the Longview Hospital and his son, Bill, was born in Seattle.

Rod was a member of Bethany Open Bible Church for 30 years, Harvard Covenant Church for 5 years, and Clover Creek Bible Fellowship for 8 years, and then became a member of Lighthouse Christian Center for over 10 years.

His favorite Bible verse was Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ”. The Lord gave this verse to both of us the same hour of the same morning. It has been a comfort to us since that time.

His favorite song was “He Touched Me”. We were directed to go to Midway Covenant Church one morning and Rod had a very special encounter with the Lord that day – he accepted Christ as his Savior – he chose the song “He Touched Me” as his favorite because it spoke of what had happened at that church.

Some of his favorite adventures, his loves, and things that were special to him:

loved going to the ocean and lakes.

loved to go clam digging at the ocean and blackberry picking

loved our trips to eastern British Columbia to fish.

loved to go hunting for deer and elk with family and friends.

loved motorcycles – he had 5 - each got bigger – the last was a Gold Wing - went on the back roads and logging roads

loved having Snoopy ride along on the back of the motorcycle

loved to do upholstery – did for 40 years together

loved being with his 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren

loved being a member of the Sons of Norway in Auburn, WA.

loved his dog Rusty, a Shih-Tzu

loved to watch the squirrels in the backyard and feed them peanuts

loved his collection of stuffed animal skunks (go figure) – had several of them in the back window of his car

loved to watch otters on nature shows and he also had a collection of them

loved Oreo cookies and Hershey milk chocolate bars

loved his coffee-- even drank instant

loved Red Lotus Chinese Food Restaurant in Auburn--a friend recently went and got take out and brought it to him – what a treat!

Rod had a heart for missions--getting the gospel message to those in need of Christ. If you would like to make a donation on Rod’s behalf, please designate your gift to Lighthouse Christian Center – Missions Fund. (3409 23rd St SW in Puyallup, WA 98373) Thank you.

Thanks to everyone who gave of their time, the cards, the visits, the flowers and food, and the friendship. Thanks especially to the office and pastoral staff at Lighthouse Christian Center for ALL the love and support at this time!