Ronald William 'Ron' Olson

Ronald William “Ron” Olson, 65, of Othello, died unexpectedly Sunday, March 15, 2009, in Leavenworth, Wash., with his wife and friends by his side.

Ron was born on June 10, 1943, in Seattle to George and Beulah Overturf Olson. He graduated from high school in Kelso, Wash. After high school he joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Ranger in Vietnam. Upon his discharge he moved to Coos Bay, Ore., then back to the Longview-Kelso area where he worked as a mechanic for International Paper and then Kalama Chemical. There, he met Frances “Frankie” Jabusch Robinson, fell in love and entered into marriage on Dec. 22, 1972. In 1985, Ron moved to Othello, where he opened “Ron’s Repair,” an automobile shop that he operated until 1994. After leaving the shop he worked for Western States Caterpillar until 1997. He then operated a mechanic shop at Othello Auto Wrecking until 2001. During the past year, he spent many happy days stocking shelves and swapping stories with numerous friends at Car Quest.

Ron loved cars all his life. As a younger man he raced his 1964 Chevelle “Baby” at the Portland International Raceway. He rebuilt Baby numerous times and nurtured her along until his death. He was a charter member of the Othello All City Classics Car Club, and one of the initiators of the Othello Spud Run Car Show. He was a lifetime member of the ASA Umpire Association, and umpired and coached women’s softball in the Columbia Basin for many years. He and his wife Frankie co-authored a book on women’s softball. Ron lost Frankie on March 21, 1989. He was active in the Othello Church of the Nazarene, where to this day “Ron’s Chair” is designated at the church. His friendship with Cheryl Neskey Case deepened into an undying love. They married on Feb. 12, 1993. Ron was a cancer survivor and became active in the initial “Heart of the Basin Relay for Life,” serving as Mr. Relay for the “Folks with Spokes” team. Ron was introduced to sudoku and from that moment on was hooked on the number game, playing it whenever he was able. He will be remembered for his quick smile, his giving and helping heart, and his smart aleck comebacks.

Ron was preceded in death by his mother, his wife Frankie, his brother-in-law Lyle and three grandchildren, Sean, Ryan and Joshalyn. He is survived by his father, George, of Kelso, Wash., his wife, Cheryl, of Othello, his daughter, Anna Marie Hash (James) of Moses Lake, and step-children, Lori Ann Nelson (Danny) of Ridgefield, Wash., Gordon “Scott” Robinson (Sherry) of Moses Lake, Kristi Lynn Bateman (Andy) of Moses Lake and Kelly Kristine Chavez (Fuli) of Nampa, Idaho, his four adopted children Laura Gressett (Ron), Rose Younker (Steve), Troy Olson and Rick Olson, a sister Juanita “Nita” Stephenson of Longview, Wash., nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the Othello Church of the Nazarene on Friday at 3:30 in the afternoon. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society “Relay for Life”. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel.

To sign the guest book and leave a note for the family visit www.stevensfuneralchapel.com.