| Graduation Year | Class of 1963 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 21, 2018 |
| About | Daniel C. Olson, 73, of Union Gap, passed through the veil on August 21, 2018 after a year-long battle with Non-hodgkins Lymphoma. Dan was born February 11, 1945, to Carl Jay Olson and Orvaneil Boyd Olson in Yakima, WA. The family moved to Union Gap when he was two weeks old. He attended Union Gap Elementary and Eisenhower High School, and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Always having a deep love for animals of all kinds, he graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Animal Science. He set out to build a herd of Charolais/Angus breed and he did, though later he sold the herd to finance his mission to Mexico South East for the Church in 1971-1973. Following his mission, he returned to Brigham Young University and earned a degree in secondary Education, then his Masters in International Relations. In his many travels during those years, Dan spent time in Israel and Egypt as a graduate assistant, building a vegetable growing and export business. In 1985, Dan returned home to Union Gap at the death of his father, Carl, and took over the management of the family’s property and development, which he continued until his passing. Dan cared a lot about Union Gap. His family were long-time pioneers in the valley and he spend a great deal of his time serving the youth of Union Gap and his neighbors. He served as the founder of the Union Gap Youth Foundation, on the School Board, as City councilman and Mayor, as well as numerous other local boards. Dan truly believed that one person could make a difference and he lived what he believed. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Carl Jay Olson, and mother Orvaneil Boyd Olson. He is survived by one brother: Lon (and Kathie) Olson of Walla Walla, WA; four sisters: Bonnie Marshall of Warden, WA, Becky (and Randy) Johnson of Smithfield, UT, Jayne (and Spencer) Frost of Monticello, UT, and Heidi (and Eric) Duffin of Smithfield UT; and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you to attorney Jamie Carmody and paralegal Debbie Girard, Drew and Angela Kelsey and family, Erik and Chelsea Kelsey, Arlene Fischer and Rich Maurer, and John Hodkinson, and all who went ‘the second mile’ to support, care for, and love our brother, uncle and friend; also, to Jan, Audry, Tanya, and Katie of Cottage in the Meadow. Your efforts did not go unnoticed. You all were truly “on the Lord’s errand.” Services will be held at the Yakima Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 705 S. 38th Avenue, Yakima, at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 8th. Visitation will be offered at 12:00 noon, also at the Church. Final committal will follow at Wenas Cemetery. Shaw & Sons is entrusted with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.shawandsons.com. Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA August 22, 2019. |
