Ssg David Olson, U.S. Army, Ret.

David Orville Olson, 77, gained his wings on February 6, 2022. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Viss Family Funeral Home, 1614 S. FM 116 in Copperas Cove with burial and Military Honors following at the Copperas Cove City Cemetery. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service.

David Olson was born on July 24, 1944, in Havre, Montana to the late Lloyd and Estelle Catherine Olson. Mr. Olson was raised in Kalispell, Montana for most of his elementary life and then his family moved to Seattle, Washington where he attend high school and later joined the military.

David enlisted in the United States Army in December 1961. He served for over 20 years and retired in 1982 with the rank of E-6. While in the military he served two tours in Vietnam and on his second tour was wounded and flown back Stateside. After his Vietnam tours, he spent the remainder of his military career between Germany and the United States. During his career, he held numerous roles to include the following:  Armament Maintenance Foreman - three yrs., Armor Intelligence - 15 yrs. And one yr. as a Unit Supply Specialist.  While serving in the Army he received the following accommodations: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6th award), Vietnam Service Medal, with two bronze service stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-3, NCO Professional Development-3.

After his military career, Mr. Olson decided to go to college and obtained a BS/BA in Business Management and Finance from Central Texas College and American Technological Institute. After obtaining his degrees he began doing contract work on Ft. Hood as a Financial Counselor/Planner.

Mr. Olson during his lifetime was a member of numerous veterans’ organizations to include American Legion Post 573, 40/8 Voiture Locale 377, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 29, and Veterans of Foreign Wars 3892 to name a few. He held numerous offices with each organization with his highest honor being the 3rd highest-ranking official for the American Legion State of Texas under the tutelage of the late Bill Farmer as the State Treasurer from 1994-1996. While a member of these organizations he did a lot of charity work to help our local veterans. One of his greatest accomplishments along with his best friend Paul “Stoney” Stonebrook was beginning the process and talks of having the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery placed in Killeen. David was instrumental in starting a new 40/8 Chapter that helped facilitate the creation and building of Lions club park in Killeen.

David was known for his love of the Copperas Cove Bulldogs, Baylor Bears, and the Seatle Seahawks.

David is preceded in death by his lovely wife, Beverly Olson.

David is survived by his two children, Michael Olson and his wife, Victoria of Kempner, TX, Michelle Garcia and husband, Lucas of Troy, TX; his ex-wife, Janice Olson, and husband, Ernie Gonzales of Harker Heights, TX; grandchildren, Alexandria, Slade, Sienna, Kyra, Olivia; and his sister Linda Malyurek of Coeur d’Alene, ID and her children, Tim Malyurek, Angela Morris both of Bozeman, MT; Jim Malyurek of Washington, UT; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

To the care staff of Stoneybrook and Heart of Texas Hospice, what you did for our dad it is very much appreciated. Thank you for making the final days of his life comfortable and helping us in this trying time.