Obituary of Uriah James Olson

U. James Olson, age 79, died August 5, 2012 after a brief illness. Mr. Olson is the beloved husband of Lauretta. Mr. Olson served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years and retired from active duty as a Senior Master Sergeant. He held assignments throughout the world during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and specialized in investigating social justice issues for the Air Force in the later years of his service. He continued his commitment to social justice during the remainder of his life where he served as a volunteer counselor in hospice programs, prisons, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and Stephen Ministries throughout the United States. Besides Lauretta, he is survived by his sisters, Mildred DeLano, Emily McAuley, Mary McElman and Shirley Olson. He was predeceased by his brothers Willam and Robert; his sisters Beatrice Brunswick, Helen MacKay, and Dorothy MacMelville and his son, James W. He is also survived by his daughters Jean (Ron) Meredith, Althea Oviatt, and Esther (Michael) Betzinger; also his step-children, Karen (Juan) Yanes and Kirt (Tamara) Moody, and ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 13, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Mother of Sorrows Church (OMOS). Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Sunday, August 12, 2012, at BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway. Burial to follow in TMP East Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society c/o OMOS Parish Church, 1800 S. Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85710.