Thomas Olson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and artist, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2021 after a short illness. He was a longtime Manteca resident, known for his beautiful and colorful paintings. He was 93.
Tom was born in Oakland and attended Hayward High where he met his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 71 years, Dorothy. After graduating, he joined the Army and served in the first Korean occupation force. He earned a B.S. degree in animal husbandry at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He worked as a dairy inspector, and then owned and operated a dairy farm in Turlock. In 1958, the family moved to Modesto. Tom commuted to Manteca and Stockton, working as a Public Health inspector for San Joaquin County. During this time, Tom and Dorothy were active in and had many friends in the square dancing community. Tom began painting in the early 60’s, developing an interest in painting old buildings and local scenery, which he continued in his artistic career. The family moved to Manteca in 1964.
In 1978, at age 50, he retired from his county job and became a full time and very prolific artist. He eventually became quite successful, winning numerous awards and selling his work, with the help of Dorothy, at various art venues. An asset to the community, he served as scoutmaster of troop 432, assisted with the Love Thy Neighbor charity, and donated his art work to the Manteca Historical Society. He was a Freemason and was, for many years, an active member of the Manteca Art Guild. Tom and Dorothy spent many years watching after their aging parents. Failing eyesight caused him to slow down and eventually quit painting but he continued being artistically productive, writing letters, poems, and keeping journals.
Tom was always interested in learning new things, was inventive in everything he did, and always had a cheerful and kind attitude, characteristics that influenced his children and many of the people who knew him. Tom and Dorothy had five children whose childhoods were enriched by camping, day trips, and the freedom and encouragement to be creative. Tom and Dorothy’s house was a favorite gathering spot, with many family parties and visiting friends. Any guest felt welcome in their home and it was always fun to be there. Through the years, their family spent many hours with them in friendship and in having fun together, often able to travel with them on their many sightseeing trips.
Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, who passed in April 2020, his parents, Ernest Raymond Olson, mother Margaret, and his brother Bob of Livingston.
He is survived by his children, Glenda Burns (Gary), Janet Wild (Ted), Doreen Heath (David), Raymond (Marian), and John (Joan), grandchildren, Douglas Wild, Margaret Wild, Miranda Olson Reinhardt, and Andrew Olson. Great- granddaughter, Ada Wild.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tom was born in Oakland and attended Hayward High where he met his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 71 years, Dorothy. After graduating, he joined the Army and served in the first Korean occupation force. He earned a B.S. degree in animal husbandry at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He worked as a dairy inspector, and then owned and operated a dairy farm in Turlock. In 1958, the family moved to Modesto. Tom commuted to Manteca and Stockton, working as a Public Health inspector for San Joaquin County. During this time, Tom and Dorothy were active in and had many friends in the square dancing community. Tom began painting in the early 60’s, developing an interest in painting old buildings and local scenery, which he continued in his artistic career. The family moved to Manteca in 1964.
In 1978, at age 50, he retired from his county job and became a full time and very prolific artist. He eventually became quite successful, winning numerous awards and selling his work, with the help of Dorothy, at various art venues. An asset to the community, he served as scoutmaster of troop 432, assisted with the Love Thy Neighbor charity, and donated his art work to the Manteca Historical Society. He was a Freemason and was, for many years, an active member of the Manteca Art Guild. Tom and Dorothy spent many years watching after their aging parents. Failing eyesight caused him to slow down and eventually quit painting but he continued being artistically productive, writing letters, poems, and keeping journals.
Tom was always interested in learning new things, was inventive in everything he did, and always had a cheerful and kind attitude, characteristics that influenced his children and many of the people who knew him. Tom and Dorothy had five children whose childhoods were enriched by camping, day trips, and the freedom and encouragement to be creative. Tom and Dorothy’s house was a favorite gathering spot, with many family parties and visiting friends. Any guest felt welcome in their home and it was always fun to be there. Through the years, their family spent many hours with them in friendship and in having fun together, often able to travel with them on their many sightseeing trips.
Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, who passed in April 2020, his parents, Ernest Raymond Olson, mother Margaret, and his brother Bob of Livingston.
He is survived by his children, Glenda Burns (Gary), Janet Wild (Ted), Doreen Heath (David), Raymond (Marian), and John (Joan), grandchildren, Douglas Wild, Margaret Wild, Miranda Olson Reinhardt, and Andrew Olson. Great- granddaughter, Ada Wild.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, January 22, 2021
