Cullman - Richard L. "Colonel" Olson, LTC (Ret) ALARNG, age 78, of Cullman, Ala., died on Jan. 25, 2024 at his residence. A memorial service will be at Sardis Baptist Church on Feb. 5, 2024 at 2 p.m. and will be followed by military honors at Sardis Cemetery.

Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

Richard was born in Minnesota on April 18, 1945 and was adopted with his twin sister at 6-months-old by his father, Gess Olson and mother, Gladys Simonson Olson.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Wanda Shaddix Olson; two daughters, Jennifer White (Matt), and Tracy Collins (Jonathan); a son, Richard L. Olson, Jr, LTC, USAF (Crissi); a sister, Sandra Johnson; six grandchildren, Lauren Barnett (Jagger), Ryan White, Joni Olson, Garrett Olson, Reid Olson, and Oleta Olson; a great-grandchild, Wyatt Barnett; and a host of family and friends.

Richard graduated from Billings West High School in Billings, Montana in 1963. He joined the U.S. Army upon graduation and served 2 tours in Vietnam where he earned a Purple Heart. He eventually finished business courses at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from UAB with a Master's Degree.

Richard left the Army, but later joined the full-time Army National Guard. His military career spanned 32 years, and most of that time was as the Shop Foreman of the Alabama Army National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop #2 in Cullman. After his retirement, Colonel Olson worked several years at jewelry stores in Cullman.

Richard grew up hunting, fishing, camping, ice skating, snowskiing, waterskiing and riding motorcycles. He enjoyed driving fast boats, cars and trucks. In later years, he spent hours reading books and watching shows about military, war and history; attending gun shows and going to pawn shops; mowing his yard; and visiting his family and friends, whom he deeply loved. He was active in his church and shared the Gospel with others when called by God.

Colonel Olson lived a full life and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.