Barry Gilbert Olson November 3, 1944 – January 1, 2017

Barry Gilbert Olson passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2017 after a brief illness. Barry was born on November 3, 1944 to Daphne (Sandy) Lecaus Olson, a British citizen and Gilbert Olson, an American GI. He was raised on a dairy farm in Norway, Michigan.
After graduating from Norway High School he obtained a degree in Ag Economics from Michigan State University. He later went on to graduate from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where he was voted Student Body President his second year. He attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where he earned a Master’s Degree in Christian Education, graduating with High Honors.
Barry taught for Valley Christian High School and Junior High for eleven years. He also coached tennis, basketball and soccer and was awarded Science Teacher of 1979 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
He married Claudia Miner in 1975 and together they raised her three children, Robert, Susan and Lisa.
He obtained his real estate broker’s license and opened his office in 1982. In 1990 they moved to the rural town of Hollister, CA where they planted Home Church of Hollister. Barry and Claudia retired from the pastorate after 14 years and continued to serve in various capacities in their local church.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by siblings Dan, Darlene Olson, Rachel Forsberg, Grace Olson and numerous extended family. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, three children, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, all of which were truly the joy of his life. Barry was a man who was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Fellowship in Hollister on January 28 at 2:00 P.M.