Merrill Olson Jr.

Merrill Hanford Olson of Tampa Florida passed away on June 26, 2026 at the age of 85. Merrill, who many of his family knew as “Butch” was born on September 21, 1940 to Merrill Sr. and Helen Olson in Mason City, Iowa. He was the oldest brother of four boys. 

He lived in Madison Heights Michigan during his younger years before the family moved to Southern California in 1955. Merrill graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School in Garden Grove, CA in 1959. He was also a member of the Salvation Army. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Navy where he bravely served his country. Merrill served from 1959-1961 as an Airman in the Navy. He later joined the US Army and served from 1962-1965. After his service, he joined the Army National Guard. Later he served during Desert Storm and Desert Shield with the Guard and retired in 2000 with a rank of Sgt. First Class. During the 1970’s and 1980’s Butch worked for the phone company. He was always great working with electronics and gadgets, once devising a way to use the telephone as an intercom system in his own home without using traditional phone lines. 

Butch was a loving husband to Carmen and a wonderful father to Steven. Butch, Carmen and Steven relocated to Tampa in the 1980’s. He was an active member for many years at St. Paul Catholic Church. He had many friends at St. Paul’s where he served in choir and also was a staff member, working in maintenance at the church for several years before health issues kept him from working and attending services. For several years, he was a resident of Sodalis Tampa where he made lots of friends. He loved the residents and staff, and they thought the world of him. Those left to cherish his memory are his brothers Don Olson and wife Terry of Reno Nevada, and Robert Olson & wife Sheila of Sun City, CA, two grand daughters, Tori & Charlize, and many nephews & nieces, cousins, and other family members and friends. Butch was preceded in death by his wife Carmen, his son Steven, His mom and dad, Merrill & Helen Olson, a brother Phil Olson, and three nephews, Jeff Olson, Phillip Duane Olson II, & Vern Olson.