Francis Olson Jr. (Veteran)

Francis Eugene "Gene" Olson Jr., 67, Troy, Mo., passed away Thursday, July 8, 2010, at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, Mo. Born July 15, 1942, in Brockton, Mass., he was the son of Francis Eugene Sr. and Viola Genevieve McMorrow Olson. He was a 1960 graduate of Brockton High School in Brockton, Mass. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War from November 18, 1959, until being honorably discharged on February 18, 1972. During this time he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was united in marriage on May 9, 1968, in Jacksonville, N.C. to Maureen Ostiguy. This union was blessed with one son, Francis Eugene Olson, III. Gene worked for several years at Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City, Mo. He then worked at the Northeast Correctional Facility in Bowling Green, Mo. until retiring in February, 2010. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the Capital City Racing Pigeons Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Sr. and Viola Olson. Survivors include his beloved wife of 42 years, Maureen Olson of Troy; one son, Francis "Frank" Olson of Gorham, Maine; three sisters: Frances Elizabeth Burke of Sebring, Fla., Linda Taylor and her companion Ken Rower, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. and Nancy DeAtley and her husband, Mark, of Boynton Beach, Fla.; two sisters-in-law: Kathleen Filippini and her husband, Fred, of Bridgton, Maine and Geraldine Edwards and her husband, Tom, of Elsberry, Mo.; one brother-in-law, Anthony Ostiguy and his wife, Mary Ann, of Middleboro, Mass.; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010, at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, Mo. Memorial services for Francis Eugene "Gene" Olson Jr. of Troy, Mo., will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010, at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, Mo.. Msgr. Gregory Schmidt, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Old Monroe, will officiate. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or The American Foundation for the Blind in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes, 3838 East Highway 47; P.O. Box 253; Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.