Christopher Eric Olson

Christopher (Chris) Olson, passed away on April 15, 2022, in the 55th year of his life. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in June of 2021 and fought it for the next 10 months. The Lord called Chris home in a peaceful and pain-free manner, with his family by his side. Chris was known for his upbeat and friendly demeanor and was always genuinely interested in how others were doing.  He was also admired for making his family a priority; he loved spending time with his wife, Mary, and three daughters: Emma, Katelyn, and Lillie. Besides his immediate family, Chris is survived by his parents, Rollie & Gayle Olson, his sister, Michaelynn Olson McGill, an uncle, Gene Olson, an aunt, Linda Kading and numerous cousins. Chris was an avid reader whose interests covered a wide variety of subjects. Even though he was a quiet man he was known for his quick wit. Chris loved contact sports starting out in the Pop Warner Football Program at the age of 7. He played football in grade school and high school. While in college he started his Rugby career and stayed with it until he was almost 50 years old. Chris was also an accomplished BMX bicycle racer in his middle school years. The family has a trunk full of trophies from his racing days. Chris bought a 1969 Mach One 428 Cobra Jet Mustang when he was 16 years old. The motor was shot, the body was rusted but Chris loved his Mustang. He and his father spent the next 15 years rebuilding it at great expense and time. Just when one project was completed another one was required. He eventually sold the car but never lost his love for the Mustang. Chris and his family enjoyed outdoor activities. Long hikes in the woods near their home and boating at a nearby lake were his favorites. His dogs always by his side. Like both his grandfathers, Chris loved to fish. His grandfather, Cliff Olson, taught him how to filet and fry his catch at the age of 10. From that day forward he and his buddies would come home from fishing and create their own fish lunch The automotive replacement parts industry was a career for Chris. He joined Echlin Manufacturing after graduating from Keene State College, Keene, NH. Three years later he was recruited to Parts Depot, Inc., a family business where he spent the next 18 years in various assignments in Supply Chain Management. When the company was sold in 2012, he and the family moved to Canton, GA where he continued his career in the auto parts business, most recently, as a Category Manager.  His wife Mary, also worked for the same companies in the Auto Parts Industry. Chris was a strong, a proud, and a good man. He is loved and will be missed by those who knew him. His friendships span his life. High school, college, work friends, Rugby team members, all have been in touch with the family. The family will be having a celebration of Chris’s life this summer at the Olson family lake home in Minnesota. If you wish to donate to a charity in memory of Chris, the family has designated St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Hospital. Go to the website stjude.org/donate.