Ronald Olcott

Ron Olcott
Everett, WA/Richfield

Ron (RD) Olcott passed away November 22, 2024 at the age of 84 in Everett, WA. Ron was born in Richfield Utah to George Rulon and Miriam (Larsen) Olcott, second of 8 children, the oldest boy. His parents raised him to be self-sufficient and hard working, to serve others and love the outdoors. As a youth he loved hiking, fishing and camping in the mountains surrounding Richfield, including one epic week-long scout hike where the adult leader backed out, so the 12 and 13 year old boys went alone.

After high school, Ron joined the Utah National Guard serving in 222nd artillery unit calculating trajectories for 8” howitzers. He attended Southern Utah College in Cedar City, earning his Associates degree in civil engineering. During summers, he worked for the Utah Department of Transportation painting road lines and surveying the route for the road from Kanab to what became Page Arizona before Glen Canyon Dam was built. In 1960, Ron began serving in the Canada (Eastern) Mission with Mission President Thomas S. Monson.

Returning in December 1962, Ron attended a BYU dance over the Christmas holiday. There he met Betty Burgess, one of the pretty dance organizers. They wasted no time and were married in the Manti Temple on June 16, 1963.

Ron studied Mechanical Engineering Drafting Technology at BYU. Ron and Betty had 2 daughters, Dianna and Jennifer, in Utah. After graduating, the family moved to Seattle where Ron got a job with Boeing. Two sons, Dennis and Jay, were born in Bellevue, WA, later living in Kirkland and Stanwood. Ron became an excellent engineer, working many projects but most famously on the escape slides for the 747, 757 and 777. He retired from Boeing after 39 years as a Senior Technical Fellow.

Ron loved the mountains. He joined the Seattle Mountaineers, becoming an instructor teaching Red Cross First Aid, Glacier Rescue, and Rock Climbing. He climbed and guided many ascents of Mt Rainier, Mt Baker, Mt St Helens (before and after the eruption), Mt Adams and others. Through the Mountaineers and Boy Scouts, Ron taught hundreds of people to safely enjoy the wilderness.

Ron also loved the Grand Canyon, honeymooning there with Betty. In 1976, Ron took the entire family on a Rim-to-Rim backpacking trip across the Canyon. This was the first of many hikes in the Canyon exploring the most remote areas inside and out of the National Park. His goal was to walk the entire Tonto Trail, and he hiked most of it.

Ron and Betty loved to travel. He rarely took the same road twice and always went to the end of the dirt road. They made their own lightweight backpacking tents and packs. Every summer included a weeklong backpacking trip with his family through the Cascade mountains. They refit the inside of their van to have a table and bench that folded into a bed, sleeping 6 or more people. In their later years, Ron and Betty traveled to all but one of the continents, including the Holy Land and the Antarctic.

Ron had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a valiant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his entire life. He served willingly in numerous callings, usually with the Boy Scouts. Many young men achieved their Eagle rank through Ron’s help and encouragement. He also made custom Eagle plaques for any young man who asked.

Ron took heroic care of his beloved wife Betty through her Parkinson's disease. After almost 60 years of marriage, he was lost when she passed away in April 2022. A Christmas card from his high school sweetheart, Mary Lee (Isbell Harrison), that year was a blessing. Ron tracked down her number and began a correspondence. They were married July 1, 2023. He got out of at least two speeding tickets after Mary Lee told the policeman their sweet story. Mary Lee gave Ron something to live for again.

Ron was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, six siblings, Beth, Doug, Doris, Lynn, Blaine and Neal and two great grandchildren Brooklyn Harward and Wesson Germanis.

Ron is survived by his second wife Mary Lee (Isbell Harrison), sister Gayle Olcott, 4 children Dianna (Jim Park), Jennifer (Eddie Glines), Dennis (Sheri), Jay (Roxanne) and 6 stepchildren. Ron is also survived by 12 grandchildren, James (Danica) Park, Katie (Adam) Germanis, Collin(Claire) Park, Derek (Morgan) Park, Jonathan (Larissa) Glines, Forrest Glines, Porter (Samantha Forde) Glines, Benjamin (Emily) Glines, Haley (Andrew) Harward, Brian (Emilee) Olcott, Jason (Megan) Olcott, and Justin Olcott; and by 12 great grandchildren, Sophia Park, Alice Park, Orrin Germanis, Margarett Germanis, Theo Park, Emelia Park, Rhiannon Park, Nash Glines, Jude Glines, Hadlee Olcott, Harper Olcott, Carson Olcott, Tatum Harward, and many step-grandkids.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stanwood/Camano Island building, 795 Ell Road, Camano Island, WA 98292. A viewing will be held from 1:30 - 2:30 pm, funeral at 3 pm.

Ron will be buried in Richfield, UT. There will be a funeral service at Magleby Mortuary, 50 S 100 W, Richfield, UT 84701 on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. A viewing from 10:30 - 11:30 am, funeral at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, take a kid hiking.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com

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