Former fire chief dies at 84

Donald Olson firefighter for 4-plus decades

Donald Ellert Olson Sr. died in his home Sunday, after 57 years as an active community member and more than 40 years as a volunteer firefighter. He was 84.

Olson was chief of the Crescent City Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years, from 1982 to 1997.

“He was truly dedicated to the Fire Department and the people that belonged to it,” said current Fire Chief Steve Wakefield. “He was a tremendous mentor for me ... In the truest sense, he was a great civil servant and he was great for this community.”

Olson's family provided information about him Monday. He was born June 7, 1927, in Grand Forks, N.D., and grew up in a small farming town nearby. His family was significantly affected by the Great Depression, and he left school when he was 16 years old to bring home money, attempting to save the family farm. The farm was lost, and Olson was drafted into the army when he was 18.

During World War II, Olson served in France, Germany, Austria and Italy, including a stint as personal guard for Brigadier General Bruce C. Clarke near the end of his tour.

At the end of the war, Olson returned to North Dakota, bought farmland, and enrolled at the North Dakota School of Science, studying refrigeration and electrical trades. This vocation eventually lured him to Crescent City in 1955, where he worked for the Bob Ames Company and the city of Crescent City in many positions, including assistant public works director.

Before leaving North Dakota, he married Patricia Johnson and had two of his three children, including Don Olson Jr., superintendent of the Del Norte Unified School District.

“He was amazingly optimistic up until the last days of his life,” the younger Olson said Monday, adding his father died of natural causes. “Less than a week ago, he was telling me that he was hoping he could kick this thing and get better.”

Four years ago, the younger Olson returned early from a trip abroad when doctors said his father had only days to live, but the elder Olson recovered and continued to live an active life. He remained interested in the Fire Department, attending every monthly meeting until recently, Wakefield said.

Olson remained an active volunteer with the department until 2003.  He was also very involved with Grace Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 40 Something club. He was an avid reader and also an outdoorsman who enjoyed deer and duck hunting with family and friends.

Olson is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Olson, and three children.

“He loved the people here,” the younger Olson said. “He was very approachable in his personal and professional life and I think people genuinely enjoyed my dad.”

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