In Memoriam – Soren Olsen (1944-2021)
Hi, my name is Sam Olsen. I want to thank many friends and neighbors who inspired me and made the quality of life, and my ride through Jacksonville, memorable and rewarding. Several days ago, I fell in my bathroom and was unable to get up. Eventually an ambulance was called and came and took me to the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital and there I was diagnosed as having brain cancer. That led to a course correction and instead of remaining in my beloved home on Stagecoach Drive, I will move to Blacksburg Virginia, where I will be living with my son Jasen, his wife Michelle and four grandchildren.
My wife and I (Susan) and two sons, Jasen and Justin, arrived in Jacksonville on October 1, 1977. I was here to interview for a position with the Oregon Department of Parole and Probation. I had just finished the interview and wanted to get the lay of the land, and so I headed west of Medford, driving over Bellinger Hill and taking a right on South Stage Road. That led me to the outskirts of Jacksonville where I observed the historic architecture and quaint feeling of a small town. I thought this is where I wanted to live if I go the position. Well, I got the position and with my wife Susan and the boys, we purchased the house on Stagecoach Drive and that is where I lived, until today.
Throughout my years here in Jacksonville, I have met many people, spent a lot of time getting to know the area and the amenities of Jacksonville, a city that I love and the people that nurtured me, while I was here.
I want to thank those who inspired me along the way and made my life richer. I want to thank John Trudeau for hearing the music on Britt Hill and providing the inspiration for the development of Britt Festivals which enriches our lives. I want to thank John Guerrero for his El Carino Rosso, (the Gentle Red wine) which passed between my lips over the years at the Bella Union. Thanks John! I have fond memories of the Bella Union. The Bella was a place of romance for many. Indeed, the Bella is where my oldest son Jasen met his wife Michelle over 25 years ago. The two later married in my backyard on Stagecoach Drive. And later, Christian Hamilton, who currently runs the Bella, and was my son’s best friend and best man at his wedding, also met his bride, Jillian at the Bella. They also married in my backyard on Stagecoach Drive. The Bella produced many memories and friends. I would also like to thank Jerry Evans and the people and staff of the Jacksonville Inn who made your special evening dinner. I want to thank Larry Smith, whose leadership with his students in Jacksonville Elementary led to the creation of the Jacksonville Woodlands and saved the backdrop of Jacksonville for generations to come. His inspiration established a long-standing place where people can experience nature, the Woodlands of Jacksonville. I also would like to thank Platon Mantheakis for inspiring the Jacksonville Rotary Club to help provide clean drinking water to the peoples of Tanzania and Guatemala.
Thanks to Carolyn Kingsnorth, whose stories tell us of the past residents of Jacksonville and the places they came from, enriching our knowledge of where we all have been, including the Beekman House which is a major historical home for Jacksonville and the State of Oregon.
I’ll be leaving tomorrow with my oldest son, Jasen. My youngest son Justin will be taking over the Jacksonville home and promises to keep it a place of bloom and year-round interest. I hope Justin finds as much joy and happiness in this house and special town as I did.
The neighborhood of Jacksonville has always had great people. I want to thank all my current and past neighbors for making my days here enjoyable. This brain cancer that I have is not unique to me. Thus, the end of my trail is not unique. However, my time here in this community with my family has been unique and I feel fortunate to have shared my life with many of those here in Jacksonville. Thank you all for making my ride through Jacksonville special.
I wish you all well. I’m off to new beginnings in Blacksburg Virginia with my son and grandchildren. The journey has been an enriching one. Thank you all. May you have happy trails and soft sunsets in your journey.
Editor’s Note: Voice recorded by Richard Hunter and edited by Richard’s wife Kerry, in Sam’s Stagecoach Dr. home in Jacksonville, Oregon on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 1:30pm. “That would be the last time that we would see our friend and neighbor, Sam.”