Mr. Earl Milford Olson

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3909 Forest Dr., Columbia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave., Columbia. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel is assisting the family.

Earl was born in Iowa City, IA to Nels and Marie Helle Olson, both of Norwegian descent. He was second of a family of seven and leaves behind his youngest brother Vincent, of Eagle Grove, IA. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1941 with a BS in Chemical Engineering and quickly accepted a job with Tennessee Eastman in Kingsport, TN where he worked for 25 years in various departments, including ordinance during WWII. It was there that he met Margaret Rector, his wife of 57 years. He transferred to Carolina Eastman in 1966 and retired as President in 1982.

After retirement he expanded his interests in gardening, woodworking, cooking and travel and he loved sharing these with friends, family and even strangers. Earl had a strong sense of community service and enjoyed work with Boy Scouts, Boys' Club, Civitan, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and Master Gardeners. He was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for 50 years, serving in many ways the church he loved.

He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret. He leaves behind a large family whom he treasured and who adored him; Karen Churchill (Fred) of Vienna, VA, Sharon Olson of Clemmons, NC, Mary Genovese (Arthur) of Waxhaw, NC, Naven Olson of Columbia, Linda McLeod (Richard Knight) of Camden and grandchildren; Andrew (Francesca), Matthew (Austin), and John (Birgitte) Churchill, Michael (Sandra) and Matthew (Krista) Genovese, Lee (now deceased) and Joseph (Michelle) McLeod and Margaret and Kathryn Knight and great grandchildren; Max, Sophie, Madeline, Emma, Andreas, Vincent and James Churchill; Adele, Ruby and Ellie Genovese; and Jade and Aiden Simmons. Many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors who enjoyed his generous nature and positive outlook will also miss him, especially his dear companion of sixteen years, Helen Derrick.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the James Churchill Fund at the Global Center for GSD, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.