Mr. Laurence Christopher Olson

Laurence Christopher Olson, Jr., 65, of Leesburg, Georgia, passed away on January 1, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 963 GA Hwy 32 West, Leesburg, Georgia and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 963 GA Hwy 32 West, Leesburg, Georgia. Pastors Mark Spraggins and W.A. Bingham will officiate. Born in Grafton, North Dakota to the late Laurence C. Olson and Margaret Watkins Olson, Laurence graduated from Grafton Central High School in 1969 and then attended North Dakota State School of Science at Wohpeton, North Dakota. Upon completion of school, Laurence joined the Marine Corps and was active duty from 1971-1985. January 22, 1978, Laurence married his spouse of 39 years, Ronna L. Currie. Together, they raised their 6 children in Albany, Georgia. Laurence worked for the Marine Corps from 1985-2013 where he retired. He worked in various capacities in the Marine Depot Maintenance Command to include Electronics Technician, Manager of the Metrology Laboratory, and Manager of the Communications/Electronics Branch. Larry, as he was called by family and friends, loved to be outdoors doing gardening, yardwork and working in flowerbeds. In his spare time, he enjoyed his hobby of re-loading ammo and loved recreational pistol and rifle shooting, and taught his grandchildren the sport. He also enjoyed fishing with his wife and family and spent much of his time helping fix things as needed even to include the small toys his grandchildren would bring to him. He never let them down. Larry also attended all functions, graduations, sports and special programs of all his children in their school days and beyond for all of the grandchildren. He dearly loved his animals but especially his German Shephard dog, Sheba, who loved him dearly and even now, sits at the door looking out awaiting his return. Larry was a member of the Marine Corps League, the American Legion Post 30 Honor Guard, the American Veteran’s Association and the National Rifle Association. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Leesburg, Georgia and was very involved in Men’s Ministries there as well as being asked to accept a Deacon position in the coming months. He was not one to like the limelight but instead willingly helped behind the scenes. Larry was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by two sisters: Eileen DePoe of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Marilyn Haug (Dale) of St. Joseph, Minnesota. His stepmom, Dorothy Olson of Grafton, ND; his wife, Ronna Currie Olson, and their six children, Lawrence Torres, III (Mona) of Okinawa, Japan; Kimberley Shirley of Leesburg, GA; Chastity Matthews (Garett) of Leesburg, GA; Kristen Ford (Alan) of Leesburg, GA; Cari Kehren of Leesburg, GA; and Cortney Russell (Robert) of Leesburg, GA. Larry is survived by 20 amazing grandchildren, 2 nephews and 2 nieces. Larry will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. He has been escorted to Heaven and now sits at the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to semperfifund.org. Larry always said, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” and he would have wanted someone to benefit from his passing.

Mr. Laurence Christopher Olson

March 17, 1951 - January 1, 2017