With heavy hearts, we announce that Edd Olson passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025 at the age of 79. He was a beloved father, friend, employer, teacher, and coach who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Edd began his life on June 17, 1945, at St. Mary's Hospital in Roswell, New Mexico, to Carl and Pauline Olson. Edd relocated with his parents to Seattle, WA shortly after, where he spent the majority of his life.
Edd attended Blanchet High School, where he discovered a lifelong passion for athletics (football in particular). He earned three letters while at Blanchet for multiple sports, including as a tight end and defensive end for football, center for basketball, and throwing the shot and discus for track and field. He earned All Western Conference honors for football, and helped the Braves win the state championship for basketball his graduating year of 1963. Edd's exceptional athletic abilities earned him football scholarships to Grays Harbor J.C., and to the University of Washington (UW). He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Physical Education from UW in 1967.
Immediately following university, Edd began his career as a high school teacher and coach at his alma mater, Blanchet. Edd taught multiple classes, including biology and physical education, in addition to creating Blanchet's first ever health class and curriculum. He coached football, basketball, wrestling, and track. Edd was Assistant Head Football Coach of the 1974 Blanchet football team, who went on to win the 1974 state championship.
While teaching and coaching at Blanchet, Edd also played professional football from 1967 to 1969 for the Seattle Rangers, the farm team of the Denver Broncos.
After 10 years at Blanchet, Edd was hired as Head Football Coach and teacher at Hazen High School in 1976. While at Hazen, Edd also coached the school's basketball and track teams, as well as created Hazen's first co-ed physical fitness class.
In 1985, Edd made a significant career change by leaving the teaching/coaching world to join the family business, Olson Fuel Company. Established in 1926 by Edd's grandfather, Garnett Olson, Olson Fuel was a well-known oil heat service provider in the greater Seattle area. Years later in the early 1990's, Edd's father Carl sold the business to him and his brother.
As co-owner, Edd grew the company significantly through the 2000's. With the goal of becoming a diversified full-service HVAC provider to the community, he rebranded the company as Olson Energy Service, acquired Anderson Oil, Hunts Power Vac, and Gas Appliance Supply, and established Olson Homes as a real estate broker to assist HVAC customers sell their houses. Edd was an influence on the larger HVAC industry, serving as President of the Oil Heat Institute of Washington, and Chairman of the Regional Advisory Board. Edd retired in 2010 after transforming the Olson Service Group from a modest team of 12 in 1985 to a thriving organization of over 45 employees, each of whom he regarded as part of his extended family.
Additionally, Edd had a great interest in Chinese martial arts, training and sharing his knowledge of over 30 years earning the Kung Fu title of Sifu (master) in the Hung Ga style. He also found great peace spending time in the great outdoors, regularly exploring the many trails available in the Pacific Northwest, and finding ideal spots to camp by Salmon la Sac River.
Edd is survived by his two sons, Erik Olson and Chris Olson, as well as the mother of his children, Susan Olson.
A celebration of life is being planned by the family to take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Champions of Change (https://championsofchangefoundation.org/), a fundraising coalition of Championship Seahawks players, supercharging local organizations embedded within their community, offering services for families that champion dignity, empowerment and collaboration on and off the field.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
Some other photos of my dad with family, friends, and doing what he loved.
1985 Hazen High School Year Book
Blanchet High School, Class of 1963
Christmas was his favorite holiday
Christmas was his favorite holiday
I THANK GOD FOR THE MEMORIES I HAD WITH YOUR FATHER. BEING REMINDED THE TIMES I HELD YOU ERIK & CHRISTOPHER IN MY ARMS IN PRAYER WHICH YOU BOTH HAVE A PART OF MY HEART. "GOD BLESS YOU BOTH" LOVE ELIZABETH & BOB OLSON
9/10/1991 - Edd with his two sons, Erik and Chris
Service
Seattle, WA, United States 98103