John J. Olson October 15, 1939 - October 2, 2022

John Joseph Olson, age 82, of Allentown, died peacefully at his home on October 2, 2022. John was born on October 15, 1939, in Lansford, the son of Hillmer and Myrtle (Koch) Olson. He graduated from Allentown High School in 1957 where he excelled in academics and sports including football, basketball and track and field. John graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Moravian College in 1961 where he was a football and basketball stand-out and a member of the Omicron Gamma Omega fraternity. John then attended Kutztown University where he received a master’s degree in education (social studies). John met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Scharadin, in February of 1963. John and Mary Ann lived in Allentown where John was a special education teacher at Upper Perkiomen High School for 37 years until his retirement in 1997. During his teaching career, John coached football, basketball and track and field and officiated basketball games. He was also the Lehigh County Agricultural Society box office manager for 20 years and was honored as a 50-year member of the Travelers Protective Association of America (TPA). John was a very competitive college athlete. In football, John was known as coach Rocco Calvo’s “lonesome end in orbit.” Upon graduation, John received a draft from the Green Bay Packers but, instead, chose to pursue a career as a high school teacher. John credited his start in sports to youth participation in the Allentown Boys Club. He was also a team player, his high school newspaper awarding John the 1956-57 good Sportsmanship Award. He was loyal to his alma mater, never missing a class reunion in 65 years. After retiring, John and Mary Ann continued to reside in the area, enjoying golf, outdoor recreation and spending time with their family. John enjoyed watching the Eagles, Phillies and West Virginia Mountaineers play. In addition, John was a skilled golfer who enjoyed the challenge of PGA golf courses across the country. John is remembered as a kind and soft-spoken man with a sharp wit and a love for books, reading library books every day. He was an avid history buff who often read historical novels and visited historical sites. John loved the time spent with his wife, daughters and grandchildren who often accompanied John and his wife on their travels. John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann, of Allentown; two sisters, Janice Harleman and Linda Moyer; two daughters and son-in-law, Lynn (Mark) Wingert, of Chippewa Falls, WI, and Kristina Olson, of Barto, PA; and grandchildren, Margaret Wingert, Chloe Wingert and Hunter Berryman. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Hillmer, and sister, Carol (Richard) Beltz. A celebration of John’s life will be held at Stephens Funeral Home, Inc., 274 N. Krocks Rd., Allentown, on Friday, October 7, 2022, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The service begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown. Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Ave., Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104.