James "Jimmy" Raymond Olson

James Raymond "Jimmy" Olson, 43, of La Grande, died May 30 at his home after a year-long battle with cancer with his family by his side. His funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery.

Jimmy was born in Portland Sept. 28, 1967, the son of Gerald and Elizabeth Olson. Jimmy lived in Eugene until moving with his family to Ontario in the spring of 1975. He graduated from Ontario High School in 1985.

After high school, he had adventures in Arizona and California, and eventually returned to Ontario. He attended Treasure Valley Community College before earning his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Oregon in 1992. Shortly after his graduation, Jimmy met the love of his life, Michelle Hall. Their daughter, Angelie, was born in 2002.

He loved camping, music, the occasional conversation about politics and watching over his daughter.

Survivors include his wife, Michelle; daughter, Angelie; son, Clint White; mother, Elizabeth Olson; sister, MaryBeth (Bret) Bennett; nephew and nieces; aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Olson.

In lieu of flowers, Jimmy requested memorial contributions be made to Grande Ronde Academy "for all that they have done to prepare Angelie and others for a God-filled life of learning."

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