James D. Olson, 93, of Minot and Mesa, AZ, died on March 6, 2019 at his winter home in Mesa.

James Derald Olson was born on July 25, 1925 in Guthrie, ND to Clarence and Rose (Beutler) Olson. He was raised and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1943. He entered the U.S. Navy in September of 1943, attended radio school at the University of Illinois and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations of World War II until his honorable discharge in April of 1946. Following his discharge, he returned to Minot where he began employment with the Great Northern Railroad as a brakeman. He was promoted to conductor in 1957 and retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1987 after 41 years.

Jim served as local chairman for the United Transportation Union and as president for the Railroad Safety Committee. He was also a licensed real estate salesman for Minot Realty beginning in 1962 and continued with Coldwell Banker as a broker/associate. He retired as a real estate agent in 2014 at the age of 89.

Jim married Audrey Warke on November 27, 1948 at First Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot where they raised their three daughters. In addition to residing in Minot, Jim and Audrey maintained a lake home at Lake Metigoshe for 48 years and a winter home in Mesa, AZ for 20 years. Jim especially enjoyed playing cards, playing pool and traveling.

Jim's loving family includes his wife of 70 years, Audrey; children: Rosanne Olson (Dr. Edward "Ted" McMahon Jr.) of Seattle WA, Nancy Grueneich of Mesa and Gloria Rogers (David) of Fort Mills, SC; grandchildren: Shane Grueneich (Shari) and great-grandson Jacob, and James Rogers (Brie) and nieces and nephews: Bonnie Weninger (Leo), Margaret Ann Moore, Carol (Don) Cook, Clark (Gayatri) Moore, Craig (Kay) Moore, Mary (Dave) Feltman.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and her husband: Florence and Leonard Thornby; his brother and his wife: Richard C. "Bud" Olson and Lorraine "Sis" Olson and nephew: Roger Thornby.

Celebration of the Life of James D. Olson: Monday, May 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church- Minot.
Memorial Book-Signing: Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials - In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.

James Olson Flowers