Jerry Spencer Olson , January 09, 1932 — May 28, 2019

Funeral service for Jerry Spencer Olson, age 87, of Decatur, will be Friday, May 31, 2019, 1:00 p.m. at Westmeade Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Scotty Hogan and Rev. Justin McAlpin officiating, and Shelton Funeral Home directing.

The family will receive friends for two hours prior to service at the church. Interment will be in Burningtree Memorial Gardens. Mr. Olson, who passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at NHC Healthcare, Moulton, was born January 9, 1932, in Cullman, to John Virgil Olson and Audrey Reeder Olson.

He was a member of Westmeade Baptist Church. Upon finishing high school he went to work for DuPont Plastics. He then served his country in the U. S. Coast Guard, after which he returned to DuPont.

Later he entered a fossil training program with TVA and then worked in several fossil plants in Alabama. In the late 60’s, he was selected to become one of the first licensed nuclear operators for TVA at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, eventually becoming a plant manager. After that time he went to work at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

He was a lifelong learner who never stopped reading and studying. Mr. Olson had many hobbies, including running, golfing, gardening, photography, and watching Alabama football. As adults, he and his siblings loved to rock hunt and pan for gems.

He loved the outdoors, from meticulously caring for his yard to hiking on the Appalachian Trail. He was preceded in death by his older son, Mike Olson; his parents; and his four siblings, Marge Mizell, Mary Shadrick, John Olson, and Carol Franks. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Lindsey Olson of Decatur; son, Jerry Randall Olson (Zarah) of the Philippines; two daughters, Cindy Olson Hannah (Buddy) of Nashville, and Jenipher Olson Patterson (Neal) of Decatur; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was loved so much, and will be greatly missed. Pallbearers will be grandsons. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Hospice of the Valley, P. O. Box 2745, Decatur, AL 35602.

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