DONALD J OLSON

Donald John (Don) Olson, 67, passed away Thursday December 28, 2017, at his home in Noxon, Montana.

He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Linda, of Noxon; his daughter and her husband, Lisa and Charles Troe, of Las Vegas, Nevada; his brother and his wife, Douglas and Diana Olson of Monroe, Washington; and his brother Dale’s three daughters, Marsha, Rebecca and Angela.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elsie L. and Donald D. Olson, and by his brother Ronald D. (Dale) Olson.

Don was born in Dayton, Ohio on September 18, 1950. When he was in third grade, the family moved west to Montana. As a child of the West, Don trapped animals for spending money, but in his later years preferred to study and photograph the wildlife, which is why he felt so privileged and happy to live in Noxon. He loaded his own ammunition and became an expert marksman, both hobbies he had enjoyed as a boy with his father. Don also shared his father’s love for aviation, and proudly held a commercial pilot license with multi-engine and instrument ratings. Don was both an engineer and an entrepreneur. He would see an opportunity and seize the challenge of developing it. He first applied this to the construction industry, and then to solid waste. He retired at the age of 45 to the beaches of Gulf of Mexico, but remained active by becoming a deep sea commercial fisherman and charter captain. After becoming aware of the extreme poverty across the border in Mexico, he arranged to donate his future catch to an orphanage in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. As was usual with Don, his focus on this new area of interest led him to a level of proficiency that culminated with his earning a USCG Master 50 GT/OUPV Captain’s license. Lastly, Don returned to Montana, creating and applying environmental solutions for liquid waste (oilfield) until his last retirement in 2016 to western Montana.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Lakeside Motel & Resort in Trout Creek, Montana. Flowers may be sent through Courtney’s Floral Creations in Thompson Falls, Montana (406) 827-4224. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com