Rodney Lavern Olson's Obituary
Rodney Lavern Olson, 69, passed away on June 13, 2026. Born on July 31, 1956, Rodney was the beloved son of the late Carl Richard Olson and Betty Ann Newhouse.
Originally from Jamestown, New York, Rodney made Florida his home 38 years ago and built a life filled with friendship, kindness, and love for his family. Rodney was known for his outgoing personality and welcoming spirit. He never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone feel like a friend. Those who knew him often said there was not a mean bone in his body.
Rodney embraced life with a free-spirited, hippie nature and a genuine appreciation for the simple things. He enjoyed spending his spare time going for walks and was passionate about detailing cars and boats, taking pride in making them look their very best. His favorite color was blue, and one of his favorite songs was Old Man by Neil Young. Rodney was also a devoted fan of John Wayne and enjoyed watching his classic western films.
Above all, Rodney cherished his family. He is survived by his daughter, Courtney Nelson and her husband, TJ, of Fort Myers, Florida; his son, Jesse Olson and his wife, Jessica, of Cape Coral, Florida; his brother, Guy Olson of Jamestown, New York; and his granddaughters, Jeniyah, Jessy, Jeyla, Kyra, and Courtesy. He is also survived by two nieces and one nephew.
In addition to his parents, Rodney was preceded in death by his brother, Dan Olson.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida.
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