Kenneth Edward Olson

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Kenneth Edward Olson, 77, of Isthmus Road, Foster, died peacefully September 16, 2015, at home, surrounded by his family.

Born in Providence on August 12, 1938, he was the son of the late Eric Olaf and Anne (Reynolds) Olson. For 52 years, he was the husband of Sandra Lee (Smith) Olson. A native of Warwick, Ken had lived in Foster for the last 43 years. A 1956 graduate of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and a 1960 graduate of Rhode Island College, Ken taught Social Studies in the Warwick school system for 36 years, the first nine years at Pilgrim High School and then Veterans Memorial High School, and the next 27 years at Toll Gate High School. His other educational positions included serving for many years as the Academic Decathlon coach at Toll Gate, teaching in the Master of Arts in Teaching Summer Program at Brown University for 10 years, and also teaching for many years in Warwick's Adult Education program. Ken retired from teaching in 1996.

In his childhood, Ken participated in the 4H Club and the 4H All Stars. He served Greenwood Community Church, Presbyterian, in many capacities, including church school superintendent, member of the Christian Education Committee, and as youth group advisor. Ordained an Elder in the Presbyterian Church on February 11, 1968, Ken was Greenwood's longest-serving Elder. His family fondly remembers his many interests that included creating original greeting cards, reading, taking photographs, playing golf, tending his dairy goats, and raising tropical fish.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his sister, Sharon A. Greene and her husband, Donald, of Narragansett; and his children: Dr. Stacie L. Olson and Mark Gift of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Kyle E. and Sharon Olson, of Warwick, Sherrie L. and Jay Thornber, of Foster, and Keith E. and Amy Olson of Foster. He was predeceased by a son, Kirk E. Olson. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Eric, Owen, and Allen Gift; Jamie, Ian and Cameron Olson; Brian and Monique Thornber; and Lindsey and Nicholas Olson; and his great-grandchildren, Rayelyn, Keyonna, and Leia.

Ken's funeral was held Monday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m., in Greenwood Community Church, 805 Main Avenue, Warwick, 02886, followed by burial in Quidnessett Cemetery, North Kingstown. Arrangements by Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org

Donations in his memory may be made to either the Greenwood Community Church Presbyterian Memorial Fund, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.