Dwight Garrett Archives - BillBored.org

Lois Olson Remembered

“You just lost the best friend you ever had.” That’s what a friend told me shortly after my own mom died some years ago. Mrs. Olson, Jon, and Jim joined me at her funeral. They’ve asked me to speak on their behalf about the memories we’ve shared of Lois Robertson Olson, who passed peacefully at home in Buckley just over a week ago.

My name is Bill Kombol and for half a dozen youthful years I found myself within the orbit of Lois and the Olson family. I called her Mrs. Olson as was the custom growing up back then. I’ll refer to her today as Lois, but to me, she will always be Mrs. Olson.

***Their home at 2012 Fell Street was built in 1920 and owned by the Olson family for nearly 40 years. This Jan. 20, 1959 photos is from King County Assessor records.***

Lois was the mother of my best friend, Jim. During those impressionable years, many an hour was spent at the Olson home on Fell Street. We grew up in the greatest small town one could ever ask for––Enumclaw. And participated in all that cozy community had to offer: Cub Scouts, kite flying, baseball, tire swings, fishing, Vacation Bible School (co-taught by our Mothers), bicycling, swimming at Pete’s Pool, poker, candy stores, movie hall, parades, and summer fun. At the Olson homestead Jim typically played piano, Jon hung out, while little Kenny raced about. I soaked it all up.

In Enumclaw, Lois found the ideal neighborhood to raise her family. In her new hometown, she was quick to make friends which allowed her boys to develop lifelong friendships. Their Fell Street neighborhood was very similar to where she’d been raised in Aberdeen with classmates like Carmen Ainsworth, her best friend forever. Lois grew up in a close community of neighborhood and school friends – most notably her high school sweetheart, Ron Olson.

***BFF – Lois Olson and Carmen Ainsworth.***

Lois will always be remembered for her extremely positive attitude, inspiring quick wit, and great sense of humor. Love, kindness, and patience were the primary means by which she taught her sons. She avoided punitive aspects of parenting through delegation. “Jim, wait till your father gets home!” That warning was directed at Jim far more than his brothers. While Jim learned lessons the hard way; Jon, who friends knowingly called “the Good Son,” learned by watching how Jim got into trouble. All Mom had to do was let Jon see the punishment that fell upon Jim and Jon quickly vowed, “I’ll never do that.”

Lois also had a way of calling Jim out about his propensity for B.S. – that is his ‘Belief System!’ As she patiently listened to Jim share his dreams and goals, Lois sensibly reminded him of his habit for procrastination and declared, “Well, you can certainly talk the talk.”

***Lois and Jim at a Seattle Mariners game. Lois loved the Mariners.***

Everyone wanted to be close to Lois and to have her be a part of their lives. Jim remembers the time when one of Lois’s grandchildren mentioned, “I think the main reason my wife married me was for my Grandma.” Everybody in the family fully embraced that sentiment.

Lois lost Kenny, her youngest son in 1996. She lovingly cared for him at home during his final days. The Olson family had the same opportunity, as they took care of Lois at home in her last days in the exact same way.

Jim, Jon, and Kenny always knew they’d hit the “Mom Lottery” with Lois. In doing so, they chose the annuity option instead of a lump sum payout and enjoyed her continuing love through all the days of their lives. Heaven will soon win that Jackpot when Lois Olson arrives! It’s not a far stretch to imagine Lois telling God, “Just take care of everyone else. I’ll be just fine.”

Sweetness was her countenance and a smile was her charm. The loss we feel today is great and will never go away. It will fade in intensity and be replaced by the reflective glow of knowing she was a sacred part of our lives and that her spirit lives within. So true to her memory, we should each in some way find the better part of ourselves. Then take what is best and re-channel it, as Lois once did for us. And by doing so, perhaps some portion of her goodness will be passed along to another.

Allow me to conclude with one of Lois’ favorite sayings:

Good, Better, Best.
Never let it rest;
Till the good is better,
And the better best.

On behalf of Jim, Jon, and the entire Olson family, thank you for honoring the memory of Lois.

Service: December 19, 2018 ~ Calvary Presbyterian Church ~ Enumclaw.

**The Olson family, circa 1987. Clockwise from left: Jon, Jim, Kenny, Ron, Lois.**

Lois Olson’s Obituary

Lois Olson passed away peacefully at her home in Buckley with her family beside her on December 11, 2018. She was 90 years old. Born in Aberdeen, Washington on November 3, 1928, to James and Edna (Drake) Robertson, Lois was raised in Aberdeen, Washington and graduated from Weatherwax High School. Lois later moved to Enumclaw with high school sweetheart, Ron Olson, to raise their family.

She was a teaching assistant in Enumclaw and a caring homemaker, calling the plateau area home for 64 years. Like a true local she loved the Mariners and was a charter Seahawks ticket holder. Lois was an active member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, a Children’s Orthopedic Guild member, a master gardener, a member of the local quilter’s association, and a friend to all in her bridge, bunco, and canasta groups.

Lois is joined in Heaven with her husband Ron Olson, her son Ken Olson; and her brothers, Donald and James Robertson. Those who continue loving Lois are her sons, Jim (Lana) Olson of Hoquiam, WA, and Jon (Bari) Olson of Buckley, WA, four beautiful grandchildren, nine treasured great-grandchildren ( who knew her as Grandma Great), along with cousins, nephews, and nieces.

***

Kenneth Olson of Enumclaw died Dec. 14, 1995. He was 35.

He was born in Enumclaw July 20, 1960, and graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1978. After graduation, he toured with the America Sings group. At Central Washington University, he toured with Central Swingers and sang at the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. He graduated from Central in 1983.

He is survived by his parents, Ron and Lois Olson of Enumclaw; brothers James Olson and his wife. Ruth, of Cosmopolis, Washington, and Jon Olson and his wife, Bari of Buckley; and by numerous nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service was held Monday at Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. The Rev. Charles Lewis of Calvary Presbyterian Church conducted the service. Burial followed at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Enumclaw Aid Car, 1330 Wells, Enumclaw, WA 98022; or American Diabetes Association, 557 Roy Street, Seattle, WA 98109.

Kenny’s obituary appeared in the Dec. 20, 1995 Enumclaw Courier-Herald, page D-2.

***

Ronald Richard Olson, a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, died March 25, 1997. He was 68 years old and lived in Enumclaw.

Olson was born Sept. 23, 1928 in Aberdeen. He worked for Dwight Garrett at the Garrett Enumclaw Company for 43 years, where he sold skidders for use in the logging industry. He was a member of the VFW and the U.S. Marines Support Group, and was a charter member of the Evergreen Chapter of the First Marine Division Association.

Olson was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed following the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks. He and his wife, Lois, were married 47 years.

He was preceded in death by his son Kenneth Olson in 1995. Ron Olson is survived by his wife, Lois, of Enumclaw; sons James Olson and wife, Ruth Sholes of Cosmopolis, Washington, and Jon Olson and wife, Bari of Buckley; and two grandsons. He is also survived by a sister, Esther Matthews of Aberdeen. Funeral services were Saturday at Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. Internment was at Evergreen Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Enumclaw Aid Unit.

Ron’s obituary appeared in the April 2, 1997 Enumclaw Courier-Herald, page C-2.

***

Jon Allen Olson passed away in June 6, 2020 at age 64.

Jon Allen Olson passed away peacefully in his home on June 6th. Jon was born December 1st 1955, to Ron and Lois Olson in Enumclaw and graduated in 1974. He married the love of his life Bari Heins and they raised their two sons, Johan Paul and Matthew, in Buckley where Jon was proud to serve his community as a fire fighter for 25 years. He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers after 33 years.

He cherished spending time and making memories with family and friends. He was a devoted Seahawk fan from the beginning. He spent his retirement continuing to create in his woodshop, playing with his six grandchildren, digging clams, flying kites, working in the yard, camping, traveling and relaxing at the beach with his beloved bride of 43 years.

Jon is survived by his wife Bari, son Johan (Mandi), son Matthew (Elizabeth), brother Jim (Lana), his six adored grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents Ron and Lois and brother Ken. His determination to always do right, along with his kind heart and sweet smile will be dearly missed. People are encouraged to share stories of Jon in any way possible.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Buckley Firefighters Association 611 S Division St, Buckley, WA 98321

***

Cal Bashaw: A Life Well Lived

The day he graduated from Kent High School, his mom took him to lunch. There she announced, “From now on, you’re on your own.” He spent that night in the basement of Mrs. Shaffer’s home, the mother of the man, Marie Bashaw would soon divorce. The next day, Calvin Frank Bashaw started a journey that ended on Sept. 29, 2021, several months past his 101^st birthday.

Cal Bashaw was born June 19, 1920, in Edmonton, Alberta to a French-Canadian father, Reuben Bashaw (formerly Beauchesne) and a Scandinavian mother, Marie Caroline Peterson. He died in Enumclaw, his adopted hometown since 1966. Cal’s early years were spent in Renton at the Sartori School, then Hillman City, where he attended Columbia Grade School. Cal was 13 when his father died in 1933. His older brother, Ed, had already left home.

When he and his mother moved to Kent in 1935, Cal was a scrawny boy of 15 who barely made the football team and was quickly ignored as undersized. The following summer, he labored at his uncle’s sawmill on the Frazier River, 60 miles east of Prince George. His job was “dogging the carriage,” where he worked 10-hour shifts alongside stout mill hands, ate hearty meals in the mess hall, and slept in the camp barracks. Cal’s summer labors earned him $45, of which $16 purchased his first car, a Model A Ford coupe. Kent’s legendary coach, Claude French took note of the now brawny Bashaw boy, and he became a starting tackle on the football team.

**Cal and his Model A Ford, purchased for $18 with summer wages from working at his uncle’s sawmill on the Frazier River.**

A few days after that graduation day lunch, Cal turned 18 and started work at the National Bank of Washington in Kent. Banking was not his calling, so he next labored in a cold storage plant, earning enough to start school that fall at Willamette University in Salem. He secured room and board through a job set up by the college, and the following summer worked at J.C. Penney in Port Angeles. However, in those late years of the Great Depression, money was scarce, so he left college with plans to reenter after earning enough to support himself.

Next came jobs cleaning and remodeling kitchens. That led to a position with Boyles Bros. Diamond Drilling at the Holden copper and gold mine in Stehekin. Deep underground, he and a partner drilled exploratory holes, allowing mine engineers to chart the course of mining. He earned $ 0.75 per hour, plus room and board, in the remote mining camp located at the upper end of Lake Chelan. As war against Germany and Japan approached, work became more plentiful so Cal hired out to Siems Drake to help build a Naval Station in Sitka, Alaska. He learned to run a P & H shovel and became the youngest man to earn his union card in the Operator’s Engineers, Local 302. At $1.75 per hour, Cal was earning so much money he had to open a bank account.

**Cal and Varian in Sitka, Alaska, shortly after Cal earned his union card in 1942.**

Secure in his potential to support a wife, Cal reached out to the girl he left behind in Washington. Her name was Varian Graham of Kent, and in early 1942, he sent a telegram asking her for her hand in marriage. No response came because Varian had another boyfriend in Seattle. Cal booked passage on a southbound boat to help make up her mind. Varian’s mother advised her 20-year-old daughter, “You can’t get along with him and you can’t get along without him, so give it a try – you can always come home.” They were married on April 12, 1942, Varian’s 21^st birthday, and remained so for 58 years until her death on November 10, 2000, at age 79.

After a short honeymoon in San Francisco, the newlyweds moved to Juneau, where Varian worked for the territorial treasurer, while Cal operated a shovel for Guy F. Atkinson on the Al-Can Highway. A few months later, Cal received his draft notice and joined the Air Force to become a pilot. He never got through flight training as World War II wound down, so Cal was honorably discharged at the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant. Back in Washington, Cal began selling heavy construction machinery for Clyde Equipment, then joined Northern Commercial (now NC Machinery) at their Caterpillar department in Anchorage. Now with two children, Jill and Win, Cal turned his attention to building his family a three-bedroom home of his own design, at night and on weekends.

**The Bashaw family: Win, Cal, Varian, and Jill in Anchorage, circa 1954.**

Cal then took the biggest risk of his still young life – he mortgaged his home to start a business repairing and selling heavy equipment. The family lived frugally, while Cal worked long hours. Bashaw Equipment Company established a consignment sales relationship with Morrison-Knudsen, a civil engineering and construction company based in Boise, Idaho, who had large contracts in Alaska. It was during this period that he met Dwight Garrett, an entrepreneurial inventor prowling through Alaska seeking used cranes and shovels to remanufacture into logging equipment back in Enumclaw.

**Cal at the Bashaw Equipment Co.’s Anchorage yard during the early 1960s.**

Cal’s company prospered, and the family moved to a home in a new development on Telequana Drive in Anchorage. Bashaw Artic Machinery was next founded to sell Snow Trac vehicles manufactured in Sweden. On Good Friday, March 27 1964 at 5:36 pm, all hell broke loose as did the Bashaw house. The Great Alaska Earthquake, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale, left their home hanging from a cliff and Cal’s businesses hanging in the balance. The home was condemned, but the family was safe. Cal related the family’s experiences through first-hand reports, one of which was published in the Kent News Journal. One of Cal’s maxims came from this experience: “You can never really appreciate a gain until you have suffered a loss.”

A year later, Cal was diagnosed with colon cancer, which had previously cursed other members of the Bashaw family. His businesses were sold, and the family moved to Enumclaw in 1966. There, he reconnected with Dwight Garrett, the owner of Garrett Tree Farmers, whose articulated skidders revolutionized the logging industry. The two formed a handshake business relationship investing in land, which lasted the rest of Garrett’s remarkable life.

**Cal Bashaw in front of one of Dwight Garrett’s Tree Farmers, the skidder that revolutionized logging in the 1960s.**

Cal joined Dwight on the Board of Directors at Cascade Security Bank, which Garrett founded in 1964 to compete with First National Bank of Enumclaw, because he didn’t like how the old guard operated the town’s only financial institution. There, Cal worked beside a widow, Pauline Kombol, with whom he forged a union in 2001, a year after Varian passed away. Their relationship lasted a decade and ended with Pauline’s death in January 2011, the same day Cal attended the funeral of his daughter, Jill Alverson.

**Pauline Kombol & Cal at her 80th birthday celebration in Arizona, March 2007.**

When Garrett decided that Cascade Security Bank needed a new home, it was Cal whom Dwight selected to choose a new design for the building after the original architect’s plans were found too grandiose and expensive. Cal threw himself into the project, and in 1980, had it built for one-third the projected cost of the abandoned design. That building stands at the corner of Griffin and Porter in Enumclaw and since 1996, has been a branch of Green River Community College.

On his deathbed in Aug. 2005, Dwight called Cal into his room, asking him to be Executor of his estate, likely the largest the city of Enumclaw has ever seen. Dwight’s last words to Cal, “You are someone I know I can trust.” Cal was 85 years old, and it took him till 2017 to complete the undertaking Garrett assigned. By then, Cal was 97, yet still living on his own, driving to the store, and enjoying days out and evenings with friends. One of his great joys of life was eating strawberry shortcake with whipped cream on his birthday, each June 19^th when local strawberries ripen.

**Cal on his 100th birthday with a giant strawberry short cake, June 19, 2020.**

Cal Bashaw completed his assignment on earth in a manner that exemplified his life. Sensing time was growing short, Cal accepted his fate with a Stoic resolve and a cheerful heart. Friends and relatives came to say their final goodbyes, while he remained alert and communicative to the end. In his last days, Cal spoke mostly of thankfulness, of a life well-lived, and for the family and friends he’d served, as they served him at his passing. He left behind a written account of his life from which this obituary was drawn. It’s a detailed story of hard work, dedication, and love of family.

Cal Bashaw departed from this life grateful, content, and fulfilled. He carried no regrets. Nearing death, he held hands with those who visited and thanked each for their kindness, while thanking God for the good life he lived.

**Cal, happy, content, and with a smile on his face, days before saying goodbye for the last time.**

Cal was preceded in death by his wife, Varian, and his beloved daughter, Jill Alverson. He is survived by a son, Win Bashaw of Texas, his faithful son-in-law, Bruce Alverson of Enumclaw; granddaughters, Brynn Dawson (Dean) of Klickitat, Tess Heck (Brian) of Lake Tapps, Kalyn Gustafson (Jake) of Seattle, and Katie Smith of Arizona; great-grandchildren, Hunter Dawson, Beau Dawson, Max Hollern, Olivia Hollern, Elle Gustafson, and Emmett Gustafson.

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