James Olson,

James (Jim) Lincoln Olson Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 3, 2013. He was born August 31, 1936 in Skowhegan Maine to James and Roberta (Gould) Olson. Jim lived in Maine and attended school in Hinckley until he was a junior in high school and his family moved across the country to California. As a young boy, Jim loved hunting and fishing. This love of the outdoors continued throughout his life. After graduating from Long Beach High School in 1954, Jim enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in Hawaii where in addition to serving the country, he also developed a passion for surfing. After four years, Jim decided it was time to return home and transferred to the Navy Reserves while also attending Long Beach City College. Jim was working as a timekeeper at McDonnell Douglas when he married Judy Bartz on October 2, 1971. Their marriage was blessed with two children, son James (J.J.) Olson and daughter Jennifer Duray. Jim and his family moved to Helena, MT in 1976 because of his love for the outdoors. Jim moved from Helena to Rapid City, SD in 1995 and then to Spokane, WA in 2002. He moved back to Billings, MT in 2007 to be closer to family and was able to spend his remaining years in the state he loved. Jim endured an illness the last ten years of his life, but did it with the stubborn tenacity that was the cornerstone of his personality, never complaining about the pain he was in. His passion for hunting and fishing continued until he was no longer physically able to do it. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandson Carson Duray. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Judy Olson, son James Olson of Helena, daughter Jennifer (Bart) Duray of Billings, sisters Barbara (John) Albrecht and Rosemary Davis, both of California, grandsons Cody Olson of Helena and Hunter Duray of Billings. Jim is also survived by many special nieces and nephews. A funeral service for Jim will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 11, 2013 at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Interment of ashes will take place after the service at Mountview Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his name to CureSearch for Children's Cancer, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814 in honor of Jim's grandson, Carson Duray. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared with family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com