Melvin A. (Sam) Olson

FLIPPIN Ark. — Melvin A. (Sam) Olson, 77, of Flippin, Ark., passed away Saturday evening, Sept. 1, 2018, at the Hospice House in Mountain Home, Ark. He was born July 31, 1941, in Escanaba to the late Melvin and Rose (Abba) Olson. Sam attended Holy Name High School before graduating from Escanaba High School in 1959. Following high school, he managed the Gulf Gas Station in Sylvan Point and worked at Marble Arms and Mead Paper Company in Escanaba before moving to Missoula, Mont., and then Flippin, Ark., where he has lived since 1985. Sam loved to tinker with gadgets, play chess and gardening. Known for his friendly smile and love of nature, Sam will be greatly missed.

Sam is survived by his three children, Earl (Lori) Tryan of Flippin, Ark., Jim (Sally) Olson of Seattle Wash., and Joanne (Andrew) Finnorn of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. He is further survived by five grandchildren, Jesse, Sarah, Amy, Alicia and Aaron; two brothers, Bob of Gladstone, and David of Marinette, Wis., and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Candy; a brother, Carl and sister, Mary.

A private service will be held by the family at a later date.

Memorials in Sam’s name may be made to the Hospice of the Ozarks, 701 Burnett Drive, Mtn. Home, AR 72653 or Project Violet, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. Box 19024 Seattle, WA 98109.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.connerfamilyfuneralhome.com.