Dr. Jimmy Olson

Dr. Jimmy Karl Olson
February 18, 1942 – July 2, 2015

Dr. Jimmy Olson, 73, of Caldwell, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan. A memorial service will be held at 10am, Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Snook, Texas, located four miles West of Snook, on Highway FM 60. Memorial services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory.

Jimmy was born to James Francis and Ruth Ann Peck Olson on February 18, 1942 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He served in the United States Army Chemical Corps as a First Lieutenant. His educational degrees were from University of Idaho and University of Illinois-Urbana. Jim met his wife, Carolyn Lou McDonald Olson, they married on May 10, 1987 in Caldwell, Texas. He has seven children all of whom held a special place in his heart. His hobbies were building and collecting model airplanes, spending time with friends and taking care of his dogs. In his professional career, Dr. Olson did research of mosquitos and taught in the Entomology Department at Texas A&M University. He possessed a passion for his graduate students to succeed in all their endeavors. He was an influential advocate and mentor but especially a friend to his students.

His parents, James Francis and Ruth Ann Peck Olson, his wife Carolyn Lou McDonald Olson of 24 years, precede him in death.

He is survived by his children Ashley and wife Faith Alexander of Clinton Tennessee; Robin and husband Robert Von Heeder of Houston, Texas; Teri and husband Mike Belyeu of Giddings, Texas; Kristine and husband Chris Boehm of Florence, Montana; Jason and wife Donna Alexander of Snook, Texas; Christopher and wife Maria Olson of Houston, Texas, Megan Olson and Bobby Collins of Houston, Texas; his sister JoAnn Olson Robbins of Buhl, Idaho, numerous grandchildren and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations are requested they be given to the Texas Mosquito Control Association (TMCA), Scholarship Fund, Dr. Jimmy K. Olson, P.O. Box 906, Hewitt, Texas 76643.

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Condolences

  1. Sincere Regrets for the passing of Jimmy Olson. Dr. Olson was a great friend, a great teacher and such an inspiration to me and many others. With deepest appreciation for the wonderful person he was, it was my greatest reward to know him as a student, a colleague and a friend…to myself and my wife as well. Sincere Regrets for you loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.

    Sincerely, Drs. James and Dilek Austin

  2. Dr. Olson was more than a mentor. He was a friend. Because of him, I’m an Army entomologist and currently in grad school. I will greatly miss our random phone calls of inspiration and comfort. He is loved and you all are in our prayers.

  3. Jim was truly an awesome person! So witty and funny. But even more, honest. I have such fond memories of Jim and Carolyn. They were such a great couple and now they are together again. ❤️ My heart and prayers to family and friends of Jim!

  4. The world lost a great leader and fantastic man. His memory will live on in the thousands of minds he help to mold and expand. My sincerest condolences to you. May you find peace.
    Janis

  5. Sincerest condolences for the loss of a wonderful man. Dr. Olson was a huge part of my life as a graduate student, as he was for so many students over the years, and he was a great friend. He will surely be missed, but his legacy literally stretches across the world!! I hope to be able to see you all during the memorial service.

  6. My deepest sympathies on the passing of Dr. Jimmy Olson. Dr. Olson was a wonderful mentor, friend, and instructor. His influence will be felt for years by all of those he touched and worked with. I feel incredibly fortunate for having had the chance to be one of his students and colleagues.
    Sincerely, Dr. Liz Dykstra

  7. Our prayers are with the Olson Family. Dr. Olson will be missed. He has contributed much to the community in his fight against mosquitoes. Thank-you for your friendship Dr, Olson. Rest In Peace.
    From: The Rico Family.

  8. Dr. Olson was always a great resource for stories on AgriLife Today and for media requests. But I also loved to take visitors to his lab. He was very creative in his approaches to studying mosquitoes and he could inspire young people – many of whom had not thought of going to college – that science is fun and useful. My sincerely condolences to his family.

  9. I am so sad to learn Dr. Olson has left us. I wasn’t ready yet–it seemed like he would always be there, just a phone call or letter away. I looked forward to our letter exchanges–we were among the few people who still preferred to send handwritten letters through the postal service. He was my mentor, my advocate, my friend. A giant of a man who never shied away from doing the right thing or extending a hand to someone in need. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy. As one of his former students, I will proudly carry it forward. A life well-lived is never lost.

  10. The Paul Jackson family would like to extend condolences to the Dr. Jim Olson family at their time of loss. Jim was a good friend to Paul and our daughter Wendi. We thought very highly of him as a friend and a colleague. He will be missed.
    Irene

  11. Jimmy was my mentor, friend and colleague. Jimmy was instrumental in getting me hired at the Beaumont Center—32 years ago. Jimmy and I mentored Olga Mejia-Ford, Bandara Ratnayake and Luis Espino—all earned PhDs in rice entomology. Jimmy was a great teacher and student advocate. Jimmy was simply a people-person with great enthusiasm and a sparkling wit. I will always remember with great fondness Jimmy’s hearty laugh—it will always bring a smile to my face.
    RIP Good Friend,
    Mo Way

  12. Dr. Olson will remain an inspiration and teacher in our hearts not only of mosquitoes but also of life. He always put people first and demonstrated it with the life that he lived. His uniqueness was the personal touch whether it was having our morning meetings outside of his lab over a cup of coffee or going to lunch at Luby’s or going to the field. His legacy are the people that God brought into his life. He will be missed very much but I am thankful to the Lord that he gave me and my family many years with the privilege of knowing him and being his friend. May the LORD pour out His abundant grace on his family and may Dr. Olson’s passion for Jesus Christ and people continue in us. We love you Dr. Olson.

  13. The Swoboda family sends our condolences to Dr. Olson’s family for their loss of a awesome caring man. When I lost my father my first year at A&M he was their to guide me and give me support to continue on and graduate. He will truly be missed

  14. Our heartfelt sympathies and most caring thoughts and prayers to the Olson and McDonald families. May the most precious memories of a beautiful life bring comfort and peace. Jim was a good, good man with most winning ways. I’m going to miss his beautiful and beautifully handwritten Christmas Cards that come every December without fail. He certainly made our world a better place, we loved him and we will surely miss him. God bless his sweet soul!

  15. We are so sorry to hear about Dr. Olson. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and his friends and colleagues. I was one of his graduate students from 1977 to 1982. I benefited so much from his knowledge and experience in mosquito control and mosquito research. Thirty some odd years later I am still at it, working for a mosquito abatement district here in northern California. I could never have survived all these years without his teaching and mentoring! Our graduate group had some of the most awesome adventures with Dr. Olson, and he will be missed tremendously. Please accept our sincere condolences. Sincerely, Ned and Debbie Lemenager, Sutter CA

  16. May the Olson family celebrate Doc’s life with big smiles. He was my first boss ever and through him I had the pleasure of working and meeting inspiring entomology graduate students.
    There was never a dull moment in the mosquito lab, identifying mosquito species, blood meals and insecticide susceptibility test. For the many laughs and jokes that were shared and of course the work ethics I learned, I am truly grateful to have known this man.
    Mosquito Munchkin

  17. No one could have asked for a better father-in-law! I’m thankful that I was blessed to have known Jim for what time that I had and I will cherish that memory. I will miss our talks and his good advice, but most of all I will miss his laughter and that smile that you could see even over the phone. Jim was a good man and loved by all who’s lives he touched. You’re with Carolyn now and I know your Smiling! 🙂

  18. I was saddened to learn of Jim’s passing. He and Miss Carolyn were good friends when I was in Texas. I remember fondly the graduate student BBQs at his house. I will miss his letters and cards, updating me on what was happening in his life. He was a great man, a wonderful friend, and an exceptional leader. You will be missed Dr. Olson!

  19. Dr. Olson will be missed by us all (after all these years I still cannot call him Jimmy I have so much respect for him). He was a fantastic teacher, mentor, friend and family man. He passed along his love and knowledge of entomology to me and I will never forget how he and Miss. Carolyn invited all of us into their family and home. His impact on my life, as well as others cannot be measured, I will never forget his advice and support through my Texas A&M days and beyond (nor forget the many times he beat me in Racquetball).

    My prayers go out to the Olson family, friends and all those he touched.

    Jerrold Harris

  20. As a man, Dr. Olson’s impact on my professional and personal life is second only to that of my father. Dr. Olson was my major professor for my Ph.D. and he set the example which I have tried to follow. In addition to being a role model as a scientist, Dr. Olson showed me how he truly cared for his students and went out of his way to promote their well-being and provide opportunities for them. He opened the door for me and I am forever grateful. Out of respect, I never called him by his first name. He was my major professor. I did feel comfortable calling him, “Doc,” and felt it an honor to do so. Thank you for everything Doc. I love you and I am so saddened by your passing.
    John B. Welch

  21. Dr. Jim

    To family he was called “Pop” and grandkids “Poppa”
    To friends and colleagues Dr. Jim and others called him “Olson”
    He loved his kids both far and near
    Each one holding extremely dear.
    Never ask his opioon if you didn’t want to hear
    Politics always got him in high gear.
    Technology he was not a fan
    He boycotted email and direct deposit too
    Don’t even mention getting an account with Yahoo
    He loved his students, always keeping in touch
    Each and every student he loved very much.
    Though it won’t be the same without him
    Don’t let your light grow dim
    He always went that extra mile
    Next time you swat a mosquito, SMILE.
    Rest assured, he has entered those pearly gates
    Greated by his forever mate.

    Donna Alexander
    July 6, 2015

  22. Jim will certainly be missed by very many, including myself. He was a man of great integrity and knowledge. As genuine as they come. I have spent alot of time around his house as a teenager. His son Jason was one of my very dearest friend and remains so today. He loved kids and think that he enjoyed us kids spending quite a bit of time at the house. Probably more than we should have alot of the time, but he didn’t complain. He was a selfless man who put others before himself. I really enjoyed all if time hanging out at Jason’s house playing basketball that became more like rugby most of the time lol. He and Carolyn were big influences on alot of us kid’s lives as teenagers. He has had a great journey in life. Now he’s made it to his final destination. I can see him sitting at the banquet table with Jesus and Carolyn and all of his loved ones that went on before him. Godspeed Jim you’ll never know the positive impact that you’ve had on so many people.

  23. I will miss Dr. Olson I think I was in the first class he taught at Texas A&M he was a valuable friend and I went to him often out at the Urban Entomology center when I needed to talk about mosquito related problems. I always enjoyed his talks when I was able to attend his talks. Even after he retired from the University he meet you on the street could recall you by name with all the students he taught that meant something to me. May the Lord be with in this time of sorrow and know he was instrumental in helping lots of people to continue in studies of entomology.
    Thank you for sharing him with me David Johnson TAMU class of 1973

  24. Oh Dr. Olson. The memories we have. He was a great man with a passion for his students, entomology, and like Ms. Carolyn, the gospel of Jesus Christ. No doubt he and Ms. Carolyn are looking down on us, hand in hand. He was a testimony to teaching his students the aspects of life, both for the physical world and spiritual world. We lost a great man, when Dr. Olson passed from this world to the next. See you at the rapture Dr. O, what a great day that will be….

  25. It was with heartfelt sadness that I learned of Dr. Olson’s passing. I wasn’t ready yet although I have met him this year only a time since my graduation in 1989. Dr. Olson and I had communicated continuously using letters and phone calls for 25 years. He was my warm and wonderful mentor and our academic father. He was a wise professor and true Christian. He had given me valuable advices and many news concerning on my my friends in U.S. and our alumni of the mosquito lab., Teaxas A&M for me living in S. Korea. We love Dr. Olson. I would like to thank him in heaven for his deep concern and love. May he rest in peace with GOD and his loving wife Ms. Carolyn.

  26. I am sorry to hear of Dr. Olson’s passing. He spearheaded a lot of important work and guided many Grad Students and Undergrads. Although I was a business major, I was able to work in Mosquito Research for a couple of years as a “Munchkin”. Doctor Olson created an environment of excellence and we also shared a lot of laughs. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I send my most heartfelt condolences to his family.

  27. I was a student in his class in the 70’s. I considered him one of the best professors I had during my time at A&M. Over the years I had the opportunity to visit with him at conferences and various functions. He always had time to talk and seemed interested in what I was up to. A good man – I’ll miss him.

  28. My sincerest condolences to the family. Dr. Olson made an incredible impact on the lives of his students. He will be missed by all.

    Dr. Olson…… I am one of your many lucky students that you took under your wing to mentor, inspire, and to teach. Your love and devotion to your students was beyond any professor I have ever known….and you never stopped once we got our wings and left the nest. You were my role model and will continue to be just that. But most of all you were my dear friend. Always giving me your two cents and keeping me on the straight and narrow path. We always joked about you being my adopted father, but in my mind you were always just that. I will miss your Dr. Olson as I do Carolyn, but I know that you are and Carolyn are with me everyday and I will always have those memories. I will never forget your infectious laugh and smile. Thank you for believing in me, giving me opportunities that allowed me to advance to where I am now in my life, and most of all thank you for letting me be a part of your family. Rest in Peace Dr. O.

  29. My sincere condolences to Jimmy’s family on their loss. I knew him for about 30 years having first met him through Max Meisch at the University of Arkansas while we were working on riceland mosquitoes. Not only have we lost a great scientist, but Jimmy was a warm, generous, and thoughtful person. He was an all-around decent person. He will be truly missed.

  30. I have been fortunate to know Dr. Olsen since 1972 and equally fortunate to call him friend.
    I have “sat at his feet” for many years as he imparted his knowledge to me personally, to the pest control industry and the Texas Pest Control Assoc.
    I always called him Jimmy Olsen “cub reporter” which he accepted with his wonderful sense of humor.
    Our industry has lost a legend, a mentor and a friend. Our prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
    Darrell L. Hutto

  31. I am so sad to hear Dr. Olson has left us so soon. Dr. Olson was huge part of my life as a graduate student. He was my academic advisor for my Ph.D.
    Dr. Olson, you were my mentor and my advocate. But, I always felt you were my adopted father in U.S. Whenever, I need an advice or support you were always there for me and helped. You gave me an opportunity with Dr. M.O. Way to continue my Ph.D. at Texas A&M. You opened the door for me to advance my life to where I am now and I am forever grateful to you.
    I miss you and I am going to miss your hand written Christmas card that comes every December without fail. Dr. Olson, I love you and thank you for everything.

  32. Dr. Olson was a great mentor, and an even greater friend. He knew my grandfather and had worked with him on several occasions at Texas A&M. I had him for only two courses, but he was such an influence in me graduating from A&M with an Entomology degree–and then eventually becoming a science teacher. Without his inspiration, I would not be teaching science today and passing on that enthusiasm of insects and creepy crawlies to others. Thank you for being wonderful mentor and for the memories, Dr. Olson.

  33. Jim was more than a family friend, he was like a father to me since I first met him at the age of nine in 1984. He helped me with my first science project, ‘The Life Cycle of the Mosquito’. Eight years later as I started college at Texas A&M with my parents thousands of miles away, he was there for me to guide and mentor me as I became an adult and pursued my goal of becoming a veterinarian. I have so many fond memories of time visiting with him in his lab across from the veterinary school. After graduation, I joined the Army but Jim and Carolyn remained a part of my life through cards and phone calls no matter where I traveled in the world. I am so sad to learn of his passing two and half months after the fact. Jim’s legacy is so vast, it goes beyond the entomology world. His memory will endure.

  34. I had not heard of Dr. Olson’s passing until today. I can’t tell you how much he helped me while I was a student at A&M. He opened his lab for me (even though I was working on a project that he had no involvement) with open arms, simply because he cared about student success! He was warm, genuine, funny and caring. My funniest memory of Jimmy had to do with me as I was in my last year at A&M. Jimmy said to me: “Tom, I have some advice for you that I also gave to my own children. I have enjoyed your friendship during you time in our department, Now, it is time for me to enjoy your friendship long distance, so you need to move out and get a job!”

    I will miss him.

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