Clifford Olson

Clifford J. Olson, age 89 of Lewiston, returned home to the Lord on Tuesday November 17, 2009, at his residence surrounded by his family. Mr. Olson was born September 19, 1920 in New York City, NY, the son of the late Jonathan A. and Esther (Carlson) Olson. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Hofstra University and his Master's from Ball State University. Clifford was a WW II U.S. Army Veteran, serving from October of 1942 to his honorable discharge in February of 1946. He served in the European Theatre of Operations as a radio technician with the HQ Company 2nd Armored Division and was the recipient of the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WW II Victory Medal. Clifford married his beloved wife, Patience "Pat" (Emerson) Olson on April 3, 1948. Clifford retired from the faculty of Indiana Weslyan University, located in Marion, IN, in 1988, where he was an Assistant Professor of Business. After retirement, he and his wife lived in Brooksville, FL for 18 years. While in Brooksville, he enjoyed having the time to do the work of the Gideons and volunteering as a literacy tutor. He was an active member of the Brooksville Weslyan Church before moving to Lewiston in 2006, where he was a member of the Ransomville Free Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat; a daughter, Lynda Williams of Lewiston; a son, Paul (Kimberly) Olson of Phoenix, AZ; his grandchildren, Kris (Misti) Olson and Morgan Olson both of Phoenix, AZ, Jared (Jillian) Williams of Reidsville, NC, and Kory Olson of Little Rock, AK; his great grandchildren, Kolton Olson of Phoenix, AZ and Joshua Williams of Reidsville, NC; and a sister, Helen (Robert) Daley of Palatine, IL. Funeral Services will be private at the convenience of the family. There will be no prior visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Niagara Falls camp of Gideons International, PO Box 58, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 would be appreciated.