Harold John Olson

Harold John Olson was born Jan. 23, 1949, and passed away Dec. 14, 2014.

Harold was a major character in an Alaskan epic story. His genetic memory carried Viking strength and adventure, and William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) in breaking through a trail on uncharted land. He left for his next great adventure Dec. 14, 2014, at home with family and his devoted dogs.

The Olson family trekked north in the mid-1940s. The Alaska Highway was in its rough stages of newness, but it led them to Haines where his father worked on the Chilkoot-Haines railroad project. Harold and his twin, Arnold, were born in Skagway in 1949.

Not long after, the Olsons moved north, to Anchorage, and homesteaded a five-acre tract on Kuskokwim Avenue, off of Muldoon Road.

The family came to the Mat-Su Valley in 1953, to the north side of the Little Susitna River, and cast their fates to a bigger homesteading challenge of 160 acres.

Harold graduated from Wasilla High School in 1967, and attended Sheldon Jackson College, and University of Alaska Fairbanks. He was always routed back to the homestead.

This man had earth and sky in his blood. With good fortune he began flying at an early age, and flew for what was then Lazy Mountain Air Service (outside of Palmer), and at a later time became the General Manager. One time, the legendary Don Sheldon told him, “You don’t quit flying till the parts quit falling.”

His love of equipment led him to work with the Army Corps of Engineers until the Olson family became involved with the different state agricultural projects in Alaska.

Although the original Wasilla Homestead used some equipment for clearing the land, Delta Barley Project 1 in Delta Junction was a behemoth of an undertaking. Harold cleared 3,000 acres of large timber with two dozers and a chain, and then broke the land for cultivation using the huge Steiger tractor and braking disc. There were always mechanical and weather challenges.

When the Point McKenzie Project came online, Harold went south, with the two dozers, chain, and his dog “Happy,” to clear a couple thousand more acres.

He spoke slowly, often attributed to his Norwegian inclinations, or because he wanted to say exactly what he was thinking. Coffee breaks with him were beyond “breaks,” as they were known to go on for a while, during which time he could speak of bio-diesel. Indeed, he would make it, and use it. He saw things differently, and at times was considered “off the wall” looking for gold deposits with radio waves.

Evidence of his work is everywhere. Driving up the quarter-mile driveway daily, his family is reminded that life continues on the wits and labors of those who have gone before us.

The Olson Homestead Cemetery, to the side of the original cabin, is a testimony to the family’s love of Alaska, and the land. Manvil and Beulah Olson, Harold’s parents, preceded him in death, as did his twin brother, Arnold.

Survivors include his wife, Orianne (Orrie); son, John; granddaughter, Daphnie; sister, Karen Olson, and her sons, Leighton and Conan Lee and their families; and nephew, Stanley Olson.

Harold is truly missed by all extended family and friends, way too many to enumerate.

As a tribute to his friendliness and compassion, a neighbor wrote the following poem:

Mr. Harold Olson

A pioneering man,

Made a good hearty living out of raw beautiful land.

He always gave time to help others in need.

He was selfless in nature and happy to greet.

Thank you Harold for being a friend, and think of our laughter again and again.

A memorial celebration will occur in the spring. His cremated remains will be shared with the Olson Cemetery, and the Alaska Range, where he loved to fly.

“…the parts quit falling.”