Alexander 'AJ' Jerry Olson

Alexander Jerry Olson (A.J.) one of the sweetest souls to ever inhabit this Earth, returned to God in Heaven, on May 8th, 2023. He was gifted to Us on March 11th, 1986, raising the quality of our lives to unimaginable heights. This remarkable human being was an extraordinary Son, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Step-in Father, and a treasured friend to many.

As a youngster, he was a charming, friendly, adorable little fellow. Everyone was in awe of his personable nature, from the very moment he could walk and talk. This cool little guy was fully-equipped with joy, laughter, happiness, love and light. He spent most of his earlier years playing the part of a self-proclaimed Ghostbuster, WWF wrestler (ding-ding ding), and rubber-alligator-wrangler. He was a snowboarder, skateboarder, and a dedicated real-life karate kid. He tirelessly choreographed dance routines in the living room, with no formal training. His Grandpa Jerry coined the nickname “Big-Shotter,” because he embodied a gigantic spirit that proved to be larger than life.

Lifelong Pals affirm that to really get the gist of him, you would have to spend an ample amount of time to fully realize and appreciate his magnetic personality. Anytime spent with AJ was well-worth the investment. He was such good company. Close friends considered him a legend. They say,“attempting to describe AJ is futile, and never serves him justice.” “AJ is someone who can only be experienced.” “There was never a question with AJ, you always knew where he stood…right by your side.” He had a knack for making people feel important. He also had an intense disdain for pettiness.

He was a lover of wordplay, in the form of poetry, riddles, jokes, quotes, puns, idioms and satire. Oftentimes, he coined his own AJ-isms that were so puzzling and mystifying, yet somehow made perfect sense. A few of us wish we had documented every word he spoke. He was so damn articulate and interesting, but by doing so, we would have squandered the chance to be still, in the midst of a million precious moments. The words he revealed, when voicing the reasons of why he wanted to marry Emily, could melt the most iced-over cynic.

The couple married on Halloween day, their favorite holiday in 2022. October 31st, 2007 marked their first Anniversary. A special celebration, every Halloween Eve, for the sacred love they created, for many years to come.

Emily and AJ shared their love here on earth for 16 years. They opened-up their home to family and friends, hosting many wonderful get-togethers. AJ loved to cook, and possessed extraordinary expertise for mixing up marinades, dreaming up dry-rubs and smoking fish, meats and poultry to perfection. Street Tacos, Gourmet Garlic Burgers, and Dutch-Oven Chili were his forte. His list of culinary creations goes on and on. For his Wife Emily’s birthday this last year, he decided to surprise her by baking her a birthday cake from scratch. This would be his first attempt at cake baking. He explained, in great detail, how he conquered this unfamiliar territory, step by step, motivated by love in his heart. This is one of the areas where it was okay to brag.

AJ’s preferred form of communication was through Song. Thoughtfully, he mulled over the lyrics to thousands of his favorite tunes, in an effort to interpret the Artist’s intention, before he fused his own slant into the songs. He’d listen again and again before sending YouTube music recordings to family and friends through Messenger, instructing us to listen closely and deliberately. It was like an assignment. If you didn’t give feedback in a timely manner, you were ill-prepared for the next discussion.

Proudly employed at Mountain Valley Glass Inc.for the last thirteen years, AJ worked as a Glass Glazier, Foreman. Daily, he executed each project with commitment and finesse, rising above physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. His Spirit must have fired-up every fiber in his body, to enable him to push through each challenge. Long days required unbelievable stamina and resilience. Like many jobs, glass installation has its risks. AJ would occasionally showcase his scars to prove it. Yet amazingly, on the flip side, he evaded many close-calls, by swift-thinking, backed by reflexes. One day, while he was hoisted high in the sky, inside a Boom Lift, a Forklift driver attempted to drive around the base of a Crane. The driver didn’t clear the Crane, and instead hit it, causing it to start tipping in AJ 's direction. He spotted some bricks falling. Sensing trouble, he dove into the hollow of an unfinished window, realizing he was still connected to Boom Lift by a lanyard. Luckily a coworker noticed and unhooked him, just in time. When he looked out at the opening, the Lift was packed with bricks. He always defeated fear and discouragement. Still, he kept showing up. You can admire some of his glass work at the Salt Lake City International Airport, West Valley City Courthouse, Fashion Place Mall, Valley Fair Mall, The Jackson Hole Airport and Exchange A in Downtown Salt Lake.

Alexander thrived as a student of life. He was also a great teacher, and loved to explain abstract concepts to people, to further their understanding. During his expansive studies of reality, survival, street smarts, how to thrive, and how to cope with difficult people, he managed to earn a Master's degree of Arts and Science in Self-Education. He was continuously reading and learning new things, and was especially knowledgeable in the subjects of history, music history, mathematics and literature. He was always willing to teach the beloved children in his life many useful skills, or help them with their homework.

Endless accounts of his altruistic concern and love for others have washed over us. Stories of him reaching out to people, checking to see if they needed anything, have been told repeatedly. No matter what the affiliation was, recurring themes of selflessness, kindness, and compassion keep surfacing. A protector of underdogs, he was well-aware that love equals action. He preferred to keep a low-profile, when it came to good deeds, sometimes remaining completely anonymous with his generosity. He gave and gave, so freely, with zero misgivings. Even after he left this planet, the quality of life for a few strangers has now been elevated to unimaginable heights.

Alexander Jerry Olson, you gave our lives meaning. Love is real. Love in motion. His Love is still alive.

Alex will preserve his status as “Salt Lake City’s Favorite Son” when laid to rest at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Survivors:

Wife (Emily Anne Wakeland Olson); Mother (S. Sunday Christensen); Father (Roy W. Olson) Step-Mother (Lila F. Olson), Three Sisters (Ruby Jeppson. Cherie Wilson, and Tasha Kranendonk), and one Brother (Justin Olson).

Preceded in death by:
Maternal Grandparents (Jerry & Corinne Lashley Christensen) Paternal Grandparents (Gustave and Annie Olson) Uncles (Breck & Jeff Christensen)

Special Acknowledgements:

All of our close friends and family who came to our emotional Aide so quickly. Starks for their gentle, thoughtful care and genuine compassion.
All members of the incredible team at Mountain Valley Glass.

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6-9 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building. A graveside service will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 1 PM at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive.