Donald Wallace Olson's Obituary
OLSON, Donald W. of Clearwater passed away peacefully on December 3, 2018. Don was born on March 7, 1923 in Callender, IA. After 3 years in the Navy during WW II, he came home and married Doris and remained together for 68 years before her passing in 2015. In 1951, their family grew with the birth of twins, Jim and Jan. Don graduated from Luther College and soon after he went to work for Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. Over his 25 years with the company, he climbed the ranks from changing tires to Vice President, Trade Sales. In 1972, he left Firestone to follow his dreams of owning his own tire dealership. He called a family meeting and a vote was taken from 3 locations around the country, Clearwater being the winner. Within a few weeks, he packed up the family and moved from Wadsworth OH to Clearwater, and opened his first store on the corner of Court St and Missouri Ave. That was the beginning of his dream and Don Olson Firestone was born. Over the next 20 years, he built his family business by finding the right people. He always said the people he hired were responsible for his success. He never thought of his employees as employees, but more like an extended family. He was instrumental in forming a nationwide group of retired Firestone employees call the “Gum Dippers” who get together every year in Clearwater for their Annual Convention. A few years after moving to Clearwater, he started the Palm Pavilion Club, where every Tuesday, a group would meet and socialize. He loved people and making friends. Don is pre deceased by wife, Doris (2015), daughter Jan(1984) and parents Lewis and Minnie Olson; brother, Dale; and sisters, Pearl & Hazel. He is survived by his son, Jim (Nancy); grandchildren, Lisa (Fred), Nicole and Ryan. A visitation is planned for Monday Dec 10, 2018 from 5 to 7 pm at Moss Feaster Funeral Home, 693 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater FL. A Church service is planned for Tuesday Dec 11 at 1 pm at Chapel by the Sea, 54 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater, FL 33767. Entombment to follow at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park at 3pm. For online condolences please visit www.mossfeasterclearwater.com The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Chapel By the Sea Church (727) 446-0430 www.chapelbythesea.net.
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