Obituary of George Eric Olson
On December 15th, 2020, the world lost one of the most amazing men God has ever created, George Eric Olson. George spent his entire life living the principle that life is meant to be like going to smorgasbord and you should try a bite of everything. He suffered from wanderlust badly, and constantly longed for adventure and travel. The next big trip was being planned before the wheels pulled back into the driveway. When he could not travel, he loved to hop on his Harley and ride off into the sunset. George was deeply moved by music and you could not find him without it playing in his home, in the backyard where he spent many afternoons in the sun, in his car, music always surrounded him and fed his soul.
George loved his family, something fierce and never let a day go by without letting them know. He was happiest when surrounded by his true love, Cheryl who he married in 1974, his oldest child Ericka Gayle and her husband and second son, Jeremy Gayle and his youngest child, Jason Olson. The light in his eyes always shined brighter when they were all together. Thankfully, he & Cheryl were able to instill their shared love for exploration and adventure in their children and they have all traveled the world together over the years creating beautiful memories that can never be replaced or taken from the family.
George built a career in the Phoenix construction industry starting in the mid 70’s. He became an electrician which led him to starting his own business, G.O. Electric. George was a part of building some of the most iconic places in Phoenix, including The Pointe resort. He had the ability to see the big picture in a project that led him to be able to start from dirt to end at multi-million-dollar buildings. He was well respected in the industry by all.
He was a man of pure integrity and honesty, almost to a fault in some cases. George made a life and family by working hard, never giving up, and always doing what was right, even if it was hard. George had one of the biggest hearts and would do anything for you, even if you were a stranger. George would go into a burger joint for lunch and walk out with a large sack of burgers to give to the homeless person on the corner. He would make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on his San Diego vacation and walk down the boardwalk handing them out to the people he passed in need.
George spent the last years of his life battling kidney disease with long days in dialysis, beating prostate cancer, and many other life altering conditions that slowed him down and prevented him from being able to live the retirement he so deserved after all he gave to the rest of the world. The family takes solace knowing that his palace in God’s Kingdom was ready for him when he got there, as he overlooks the ocean in heaven with a big fat cigar waiting to be lit up as the sun sets.
George did not want a funeral nor for anyone to be sad as we remember his life, he asked that we celebrate with a joyous event filled with laughter, storytelling and memories. This will be planned for a later date. George’s ashes will be taken around the world in our travels as a family as we live the life, we know he would want us to have.
