John Peter Olson

August 10, 1926 – February 22, 2026

John passed away under hospice care with his 2 daughters by his side on Sunday February 22, 2026. He will be missed by his family and friends. He was always active and wanted to be out walking.

John was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Charles Elmer Olson and Mildred Schlimme Olson. The family moved to Detroit where John and his 2 brothers Chuck and James were raised. John graduated from Leelanau Boarding School in Glen Arbor, MI, in 1943.

John started college at MIT in June 1943. He then transferred to the University of Michigan, changing majors from engineering to geology. Served in the Navy from January 1945 until June 1946. Returned to University of Michigan in 1946, graduating with a BS in Geology in 1948. John did graduate work in geology at University of Utah and University of Minnesota.

John began his career as a field geologist in Caracas, Venezuela (Creole Petroleum Corp) and Denver, Colorado (Bureau of Reclamation – water diversion projects) before joining Shell Oil Company, where he worked as a geologist in Colorado, Texas, and Borneo. John met the love of his life Grace Estelle Moore at work, and they were married in July of 1954, in Midland, Texas. They had three children, Nancy Jane, Carol Diane and Robert Alan.

In 1954 John and Estelle traveled by ship from New York to Holland on the New Amsterdam. While in Holland for 3 months, they traveled in Europe and John had an appendectomy. The doctors in the United States felt his stomach pains were not that serious, but the doctor in Holland felt the appendix had to come out immediately. The stomach pains cleared up after that. Traveled to Borneo on ship via the Suez Canal and Singapore. They returned to Midland, Texas in 1956. John pitched for a semi-pro baseball team in Midland.

John left Shell to work as a Systems Engineer for IBM in Texas City, Texas, in 1963. The family enjoyed the beach in Galveston. The family moved to Tulsa, OK in 1965 to work for Standard Oil of Indiana/Amoco Production, retiring in 1986. While living in Tulsa, John enjoyed swimming and playing tennis.

On retirement, John and Estelle moved to Alpine, Texas, where he was an adjunct lecturer at Sul Ross State University in both Geology and Computer Science. He also wrote the Alpine City Charter and created a Fortran program to manage the voting rolls for the city. He became an expert in the ground water geology of the Alpine area, publishing several reports and newspaper articles on the subject. John and Estelle enjoyed driving and walking in the area, often visiting Big Bend Natl Park, Fort Davis, and Indian Lodge.

John and Estelle moved to Aurora, Colorado, in 2000, for health reasons. John helped Estelle continue her fight against Alzheimer’s until 2009. He was able to keep her at home with him through the help of Nancy and numerous CNAs.

John enjoyed being close to his daughter Nancy. He did a lot of walking and enjoyed driving around the Denver area to see the parks. He participated in water walking and exercise classes. Continuing education was one of John’s passions. He helped set up and run a Great Courses group at Shalom Park retirement community.

He was always a hero and source of strength for his children. His grandchildren were loved and fortunate to enjoy him for many years.

He is proceeded in Death by his parents Charles Olson and Mildred Olson, and his brother Charles Olson. He is survived by his brother James Olson, his children Nancy Charbonneau, Carol Olson and Robert Olson and his 7 grandchildren.

No funeral services. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washinton, DC 20090-6011 or Food Bank of the Rockies, 20600 E. 38th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011