Thor O. Olson; Retired Ventura Parks Director

Thor O. Olson, a World War II veteran and former director of the Ventura Parks and Recreation Department, died Tuesday in a Ventura hospital. He was 81.

Olson was born Oct. 5, 1916, in Glenshaw, Pa. He graduated from Slippery Rock College in 1939, and began a teaching and coaching career at Fredonia High School in Pennsylvania.

That same year, he met Betty Maits, whom he married before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve in World War II.

After the war, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserves and resumed his teaching career at Natronia High School in Pennsylvania. During this time, Olson earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh.

He and his wife moved to California in 1948. Olson became the first parks and recreation director in San Luis Obispo. Three years later, he took the same job for the city of Ventura.

Olson retired from the Army Reserves in 1968 as a lieutenant colonel and retired four years later from the parks and recreation department.

From 1973 to 1983, he ran his own retail business--Thor-O--which specialized in recreational and athletic equipment.

Olson was a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura, where he served as an elder and deacon. He was a board member and treasurer of the church’s Rancho Del Rey retreat camp near Ojai.

Olson was also a member and past president of several organizations: California State Parks and Recreation Assn., Ventura Optimist Club, Ventura Retired Professional and Businessmen’s Club and La Estrella Dance Club. He was also active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Ventura.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Olson is survived by a son, Roger Olson of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Pamela Marrs of Lancaster, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rancho Del Rey, 655 Burnham Road, Oak View, or to Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.