George Oleson

George David Oleson, 62, of Winslow died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. He was born June 9, 1951, in Madison, Wis., the only child of George Randolph Oleson and Burdetta Augusta Janet Tjugum, both of Norwegian ancestry. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings from his father's first marriage. Biological survivors include nieces and nephews from his half-brothers and half-sisters, as well as numerous cousins, including those in his ancestral home of Norway. He also is survived by members of his longtime Alcoholics Anonymous family, who loved him dearly. Oleson completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1975. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Oleson subsequently attended the University of Arkansas Leflar Law Center, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1985. From 1985 to 1987, Oleson served as an Eighth Circuit Judicial District law clerk to U.S. Circuit Judge Richard S. Arnold. Oleson was a legal writing instructor at the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1991. He then entered private practice in Fayetteville, where he worked for almost 30 years as an appeals attorney. Colleagues say he was well-respected, advocating for his clients and for the civil rights of all. Oleson was a lover of nature and all the things in it. He was active for many years in the Sierra Club and served as the chapter chairman. He had camped and hiked in every state except Hawaii, and was deeply in love with and moved by nature and the great outdoors. He gave back to his beloved community and was involved in Alcoholics Anonymous. Most recently, he served on the Springtime in the Ozarks committee for a number of years, a position mentioned only because it was so dear to his heart. George Oleson's life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 N. Old Missouri Road in Fayetteville, with the Rev. Clint Schnekloth officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Oleson's ashes will be placed in the memorial columbarium at the church. A memorial for his Alcoholics Anonymous friends will be held Sunday evening, Jan. 19, in Fayetteville. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program Foundation or to the Friends of Washington Regional Hospice, in recognition of the loving care he received in his last days at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville

George Oleson

June 9, 1951 - January 10, 2014