Terry Lee Olson

Terry Lee Olson was surrounded by the love of his family when he went home to be with our Lord and Savior on July 17, 2026. He was born in Muskegon, Michigan, to Charles and Florence Olson and was raised with his siblings Linda, Judith, and Michael. Terry lived abroad in Germany and Japan while his father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. He continued his education at Kansas State University, where he earned degrees in Psychology and Business, as well as Fuller Seminary, where he earned his Master’s in Divinity.

In 1968, while living in Alaska, he met a hilarious, artistic, and loving woman named Linda, and they were later married in 1969. After being wed, Terry and Linda moved to Southern California, where he worked in banking before starting a very successful career in the dental field. During this time, they welcomed their first 2 children, Charlie and Heather. The family then headed north to the Bay Area, where Terry continued running Consumer Dental Offices. It was here that he and Linda completed their family with 3 more children, Jennifer, Hans, and Kaitlin. In 1997, the Olsons moved to Bainbridge Island for a slower pace. 

After relocating to Washington, Terry became a member of St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church. He was very passionate about his faith, which was sparked by a series of health battles in the 1990s. From then on, Terry dedicated the majority of his time to faith and ministry. He became a pastor in maximum security prisons where he worked tirelessly with countless incarcerated men, working to bring them to faith and make their lives better. His last mission was to write a book based on this journey (They Were in Prison and I Visited Them), which was published shortly before his passing. Terry truly rooted for the “underdog” and did everything in his power to make their lives better. 

Terry was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing, golf, skiing, running, biking, and gardening. Every year, Terry and Linda would go salmon fishing in Canada or Alaska and stock the freezer full of their catch. Linda almost always caught the majority, but Terry was perfectly fine with this as it brought her immense joy. An avid gardener, one of Terry and Linda’s favorite things to do was sharing their fishing and gardening bounty with all their neighbors and friends. Terry spent many winters on the ski slopes, and many summers on the golf course with his children. He never wanted his adventures with his children to end and would often say “just one more…” though it was never just one more. 

Terry was a very generous, hardworking, and loving man. He was a mentor to many and considered so many to be a part of his family. Terry was considered a father to many as he truly aimed to be a positive male role model to all who crossed his path. 

Terry is lovingly remembered by his wife Linda, children Charlie ( Joe Culp ) Olson, Heather, Hans ( Marion Chereau) Olson, Jennifer (Christopher) Raney, Kaitlin (Mitch) Coryell. As well as his grandchildren Elizabeth, Lyla, Easton, and Sloane, his sister, Linda Albers, and her family, as well as countless friends. Terry was preceded in death by his mother and father, Charles and Florence Olson, his brother, Michael Olson, and his sister, Judith Steers.

 A Memorial Service will be held on August 28th at 11:00 am at Saint Cecilia's Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA