LeRoy Orvin Olson

Lee Olson, 94, and a resident of Issaquah, passed away on May 19th. Lee was born to Norwegian immigrant farmers in Rural Sheridan County Montana on October 28, 1921. Lee Olson was a WWII Naval aviator who served his country with honor and valor.

His family was comprised of seven sisters and two brothers. During his upbringing Lee learned the way of hard work, integrity, and had an abiding commitment to his country. In order to earn enough money for an education, Lee sharecropped, and in 1942 he entered Kinman Business University in Spokane WA.

After graduation he entered the US Navy V-5 Aviation training on December 10th. Lee transferred to Air Group 10 and went on to fly F6F Grumman Hellcats from the deck of the USS Essex under Admiral Halsey in the Pacific theater. Lee made over 72 carrier landings and won the Air Medal Citation for valor award signed by James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy for the President of the United States.

Lee was proud of and often celebrated his Norwegian ancestry. Sisters, Eunice Williams and Lorraine Ramey, brother-in-law Wayne Olson, sister-in-law Joanne Olson, daughter JoAnn Olson Rounseville, son Ronald Olson and stepsons Gene Coltran and Dick Coltran survive Lee, as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Lee has been reunited with his beloved wife Linnea; may they again find joy in each other’s company.

Lee Olson will be honored during services at Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home Saturday June 4th at 1215 145th Pl Bellevue WA. Viewing will be from 11:30am to be followed by the service at 1:30pm.