Darrell Duane Olson passed away in Hereford, Texas on December 13, 2018. Darrell and his wife, Linda, were traveling south for their first southern winter.

Hereford Heritage Funeral Home in Hereford, Texas was in charge of local arrangements.

Darrell was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Forrest and Helen Olson on March 22, 1952. When he was an infant, the family moved to Lynwood, California for work for a short time, then moved to Sundance, Wyoming in 1954, where they owned and operated Wonderview Park Hunting Lodge & Standard Gas Station. The family then moved to Sheridan, Wyoming in 1960, where they owned and operated Ole's Standard Gas Station in north Sheridan. In 1965, the family moved to south Sheridan where they bought and operated the Triangle Standard Service Station and Motel.

As a child, Darrell spent time with his parents and brother camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, and flying U-controlled model airplanes. Darrell attended Taylor grade school, Central Junior High, and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1971, where he excelled in welding, machine shop, and all things mechanical. Darrell worked at the Triangle Standard Service Station through high school working on cars, where he acquired a love for muscle cars. He built two hot rods, a 1963 Chevy Impala and a 1969 Chevy Chevelle. Darrell was a member of the custom hot rod car club called the Nomads that was active during the late 60's and early 70's in Sheridan.

Darrell married Linda Beach in September of 1976 in Sheridan. Over the years, Darrell and Linda built two homes together, including their current home. Darrell was talented in many areas due to his inquisitive nature. He had several different careers at various companies over his lifetime, including CNZ Wood Pellets, Diversified Builders Log Homes, and ASTEC Seed Processing and gained knowledge with everything he did.

He enjoyed attending his nieces and nephews' sporting and school events. He pursued many passions and hobbies during his life, including model airplanes, hot rod cars, drag racing, working with metal, snow machining, motorcycles, motorcycle cross country racing, 4-wheeling, camping, hiking, photography, building stereo sound systems, biking, fishing, traveling, flying drones, and flying airplanes. The highlight of his life was aviation. He became a private pilot in 1996 after building an airplane that he flew twice to the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, later owning a Sportcruiser airplane that he loved to fly. He was a member of the Sheridan Pilot's Association and loved every minute in the sky.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Linda; his brother Donald Olson of Sheridan; his sister-in-law Helen Beach of Tucson, Arizona; his nieces and nephews, cousins and other extended family.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.

Cards and memories may be sent to Linda Olson c/o 9935 S. Terry Lane, Tucson, AZ 85657 or to 1247 Airport Road, Sheridan, WY 82801.

SheridanMedia.com - Jan. 3, 2019.