We think of him often! He was kind, light hearted and loving. His family truly misses him. We are so proud he was a part of our lives. We were proud to call him family. 
Mother and father in law of Angela Olson. Parents of Kurt Olson!

I met my wife Angela 8 years ago.  She was unlike any girl I had ever met. She was strong mentally and physically and had principles based in faith.  She had a mischievous sense of humor, was easy to talk to about anything, and was fearless to explore all the world had to offer.  She was inspiring to the people in her life.  Ang had such a confidence and belief in herself.  She valued her family and all the same things I valued.  It didn't even take a full year of dating before I proposed.  She is my best friend and the love of my life.  As our relationship progressed I got to spend more time with my future Father-n-law and got a clear understanding of how Ang became the person she is.  Ang always spoke so highly of her dad.  As I got to know Don I recognized he was strong mentally and physically.   He had principles rooted in faith, a mischievous sense of humor; he was easy to talk to and told stories of being fearless in his youth.  He had a clear confidence and belief in self.  So many of the qualities I love and admire in my wife she clearly got from Don.  So I can say with certainty I loved and respected my Father-n-law.  

I really enjoyed talking to Don.  He would entertain any conversation or philosophical debate.  He loved to talk sports.  We would talk about Lebron vs MJ, the Bears, or whatever storyline was big in the NFL or NBA.  I also can't recall a time I talked to Don that I didn't end up laughing at some point.  Don's jokes were all as unique as he was.  Some of my favorites were about molasses, Bahamian flu, or a retort about why he didn't have any hair.  I swear you could have made a movie about Don's life story.  I enjoyed hearing about him growing up as a boy in Trinidad and his experiences as a policeman.  Add to that, his tales from when he was a prison guard in the Bahamas. He was a character, when I asked him why he made the decision to come to America, his answer was quote, "because they had food". 

I can honestly say I feel very blessed I got to know the man who helped raise my wife.  Love you and miss you Papa Don.

My earliest memory of Don was when I was just a child. It was summertime in Illinois and while at the local playground I got into a scuffle with another boy my age. After the scuffle, the boy left the playground and I continued to play at the top of the hot metal slide.

Soon I saw the boy return, this time with his father, Don. I remember being so nervous when both father and son stood at the bottom of the slide. Don only said one thing, "Come down and shake hands." I'll never forget that moment. (Don was wearing blue jeans and a white teeshirt if you want to know!)

Reluctantly, I skidded down the slide and approached his son, Derek.

We shook hands.

What I didn't realize at the time is that Don gave me a gift of a lifetime. Not only did I have the pleasure of spending time with and learning from Don over the years, but he also gave me the two best friends I could ever ask for. He changed my life profoundly and enriched it for the better.

I could never repay him. But he will live on in my memory and I will miss him dearly. My sincere condolences and heart go out to his wife Susan and children, Derek and Angie.

Summertime 3 years ago in a park at a family get together, I asked Donald for some words of wisdom in how to deal with a hard challenge I had at the time. He smiled and said in the calmest and wisest words: "Pray. Continue believing in God and know he will guide you where you need to go."  At the time, his words really resonating with me and helped me to remember to stay focused on what really matters. Angie and Derrick: you guys were truly blessed to have such a wise, kind and strong pillar of a Father. Blessed to have known him.