Jack M. Olson

Jack Olson of Littleton, Colorado passed away the morning of November 13, 2023.  Jack was born in Nebraska on October 20, 1954 to Jim and Jean Olson.  He was the oldest of six children.  Shortly after his birth the family moved to Billings, Montana where he graduated from Billings West High School and met the love of his life Carleen.  He went on to graduate from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering.  Jack and Carleen moved to Cleveland, Ohio to start his career as an engineer for Sohio.  While away on strike duty in Toledo in 1980, Jack found himself without a car and a wife in labor back in Cleveland.  Given the keys to his boss’ car and told, “Don’t get a ticket, but hurry,” Jack made the 120-mile drive in time to don the white scrubs and welcome their twin daughters into the world.  In 1982, an opportunity to move back to Billings came up to work at the Cenex Refinery.  Jack, Carleen, Traci, and Trisha moved to be closer to their family where their third daughter Jessica was born.  In 1987, a new opportunity with Cenex brought the family to Denver, Colorado where later he joined the team at Western Gas Resources.  The move to Denver was meaningful, filled with life-long friendships established through many hours of golf, cards at work outings and Pinehurst Country Club.  After work, his evenings were filled with flash cards and math problems with his girls at the dinner table.  With education as a core value, Jack inspired a passion for math and engineering in each of his daughters through his mantra, “think math, don’t do math.”  He was a dedicated worker with a strong work ethic leading to a successful, life-long career in oil and gas.

Jack was a tenacious golfer and enjoyed playing in tournaments.  He loved photography and was an avid woodworker.  Some of his most beloved times were filled with the music of Dire Straits and shots of tequila with family and friends.  His six grandchildren brought him immense joy and he ensured they all had wondrous Lego building adventures.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Jean Olson; father and mother-in-law, Clem (Bud) and Joan Geck; sisters-in-laws, Marie Bickford and Lisa Olson.  He leaves behind his wife Carleen and their three daughters, Traci (Jason) Moran; with Adalyn; Trisha Phillips; with Sawyer and Carson; and Jessica (Joe) Orrico; with Maelin, Lachlan, and Crue.  He is survived by his siblings, Kim (Don) Olsen; Hal (Mary) Olson; Brian Olson; Andi (Jeff) Pearce; and Nora (Ron) Johnson; in-laws, Wayne Bickford; Joel Stuber; Charles (Robin) Geck; Nancy Goe; Douglas Geck; and Kristie Meagher, and his 23 nieces and nephews.

Services will begin at 10am on Saturday, November 18th at Horan & McConaty Funeral Service at 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado.  Condolences may be made at www.horancares.com.