Obituary

LeVene "Lee" Arbor Olson
(May 4, 1936 - September 3, 2020)

LeVene “Lee” Arbor Olson, 84, of Milton, WV, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2020 at his residence. He was born May 4, 1936 in Lake Stay Township, MN, a son of the late Wesley Erwin and Irene Jacobsen Olson. He is survived by his wife, Judy Neal Olson, daughter LeAnne Olson of Huntington, WV, daughter Melissa Welty and husband Gary of Spring, TX, son Tracy Smith and wife Katherine of Milton, WV, daughter Stacy Ely and husband Jason of Barboursville, WV, and brother, Lyle Olson and wife Shirley of North Augusta, SC. Grampy/Papa was beloved by his grandchildren: Ryan Smith, Brancie Meadows, Haleigh Smith, Jaycob Ely, Will Castronovo, John Castronovo, Jordyn Ely, Adyson Smith and Tyler Welty, as well as extended family in Milton, WV, North Augusta, SC, and McGregor, MN. Through his life’s journey, he experienced a variety of occupations: telegraph operator, deckhand to wheelsman on the Great Lakes, military intelligence in the U.S. Army in Korea, and 45 years as a professor at Marshall University, where he influenced and was influenced by diverse students. He earned a bachelor’s and doctoral degree in education from the University of Georgia. He will be missed for his great capacity to love and his life-time of stories. Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 7, 2020 at Forest Memorial Park, masks are required. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Marshall University's College of Education’s Foundation in Lee’s name. Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, is assisting the family.