OLSON, Francis Aliston (Bud)

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 Francis Aliston Olson (Bud) embraced his Savior on May 5, 2010 at the age of 84. Bud was born on March 14, 1926 and raised on a farm near Chippewa Falls, Wis. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 18 and served on the U.S.S. Fall River during Operation “Crossroads” at Bikini Island in 1946 where he participated in and witnessed the first Atomic Bomb testing. Bud was a self taught artist and expressed a creative nature at a very early age. In fact, one of his childhood teachers once told him “Bud, you’ll never be anything but an artist.” Bud moved to Arizona in 1957 and worked for several years as a commercial sign painter, never giving up his dream of painting fine art. In 1970, Bud began pursuing his passion for painting fine art on a full time basis. Bud’s love for Arizona’s scenery, wildlife and culture served as his inspiration and resulted in thousands of beautiful paintings currently hanging throughout the United States. In 1989, Bud had the wonderful opportunity to preserve a history of early Arizona when he was commissioned to paint six murals at the Farm Museum in Mesa, Ariz., a job that took nine months to complete! Aside from painting, Bud enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, spending time outdoors, watching his Vikings play football and making new friends. He would often say “the only friend I don’t have is the person I’ve never met.” Bud is preceded in death by his wife, Doreen Olson. He is survived by eight children, Bobbie Kinderman, Ricky Olson, Randy Olson, Glenn Kennedy, Larry Dillard, Audrey Jimenez, Dee McCurdy, and Greg Dillard. Additionally, he was a wonderful “Papa” to 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Bud touched the lives of many with his beautiful artwork, but also with his generosity, kindness and funny sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Bud’s life at a memorial service being held on Saturday, May 22 at 10 a.m. at Central Christian Church in Mesa (933 N. Lindsay Road).