Marlon Bernhard Olson, 64, died, February 11, 2021 at St. Joseph hospital. He was born March 21, 1956, in Longview, Washington, the son of Kenneth LeRoy and Bessie Jewell (Godwin) Olson.

Marlon earned his GED in hopes of joining the military. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with his brother Harold and enjoyed fishing and camping. He worked several jobs until he moved to California. There he worked in carpentry with his cousin Eddie McMains.

Severely injured in a car accident at the age of 27, Marlon took 10 years, with the loving care of his family and much perseverance, to recover. He rode his four-wheeled Rhoades Car around Ilwaco, Wash. to strengthen his legs; used a walker then threw it aside to walk on his own. He enjoyed his independence despite his challenges. He had a tenacity about him; he wasn’t going to sit down or sit still for long. He was very social and enjoyed playing cards and cribbage with his nieces and nephews and his grandsons. He enjoyed a good cup of coffee and cookies.

In Eureka he enjoyed the Eureka Senior Resource Center lunch program and playing pool. In his hometown of Ilwaco he was involved in the Pace Program and actively involved in the Seaview Baptist Church, where he and Carla married in March of 1996. They settled in Redwood Valley off of Highway 299 near Blue Lake. In March they would have celebrated 25 years of marriage. He attended the Eureka Adult School TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) class led by Brenda Bertain. Marlon and Carla worshiped at the Blue Lake Community Church and served as leaders in the Christian youth program, AWANA, for 25 years.

He was predeceased by his parents. Surviving in addition to his wife, Carla (Beck) Olson, are his son, Daniel Garl of Tacoma and grandsons Nicholas and Devon. His daughter, Natalie Barbero-Menchaca of Tacoma, grandsons Antony Barbero of Spokane and Allen Barbero of Arcata, granddaughter Savannah Perez and her husband Andrew of Tacoma and great granddaughter Evelyn. One sister, Tressie Chambers and one brother, Harold Olson and wife Linda of Castle Rock, and many nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20 at Blue Lake Community Church, 440 Wahl Street, Blue Lake.