Gordon LeRoy Olsen

Gordon Olsen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and artist, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, creativity, and service.

Born January 25, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Leland Pratt Olsen and Mabel Broadhead, Gordon grew up polishing cars for his father’s business and shearing sheep in Wyoming—early experiences that shaped his strong work ethic and grounded character. He discovered his love for art at South High School, where he also enjoyed dances with friends and developed an appreciation for fine cars, passions that reflected his joyful spirit and eye for beauty.

In 1953, Gordon proudly joined the Air Force, serving as a flight traffic specialist near the end of the Korean War. His four years of service took him across the United States, Europe, and Japan, sparking a lifelong love of travel and learning from diverse cultures. Afterward, he attended the University of Utah, where skiing, tennis, and art filled his days. It was in an art class that he met the love of his life, Golda Hatch. She shared his appreciation for art, and they quickly fell in love. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 29, 1960, after Gordon earned his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.

Gordon’s artistic talent earned him a full scholarship to Columbia University, where he completed his master’s and doctoral studies and received the prestigious Dell Purchase Award, a testament to his exceptional artistic ability. His talent and expertise opened remarkable doors. He was invited to serve as an associate professor at the American University of Beirut, where he and Golda moved with their growing family. During their six years in Lebanon, they embraced the rich culture and history of the Middle East, and Gordon developed a lifelong passion for Arabic geometric design, which profoundly influenced his art. Together the family traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East, creating memories that enriched their lives and broadened their perspective.

In 1975, Gordon accepted a teaching position at Brigham Young University. The family settled in Heber, Utah, where Gordon poured his artistic vision and craftsmanship into designing and building their dream home—a labor of love that brought the whole family together and reflected his creativity and determination. He continued to paint, exploring visual illusions of color, motion, and geometry, while also teaching at Kearns High School, inspiring countless young artists. He retired in 1998, spending many joyful years with his sweetheart, “Goldilocks,” before she passed away earlier this year.

One of Gordon’s greatest loves was spending time with Golda and the family at their beautiful home in Heber, enjoying the peace and tranquility that he readily shared with all. Gordon will be remembered for his artistic brilliance, adventurous spirit, unwavering love of family, gentle kindness, and humor that brightened every room.

Even as he faced Alzheimer’s, his positive attitude and jovial personality uplifted everyone around him. He entertained family and friends with songs, poems, and playful challenges like reciting the alphabet backward or the Danish nursery rhyme “Tommy Tot”.

He is survived by his sister Lynda Westfall (Rick), brother Paul Olsen (Tina), children Gordon (Joyce), Randon (Shellie), David (Grace), Jason (Ashley), 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on January 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel, 521 East 500 North, Heber. Visitation will precede the service from 10:30–11:00 a.m. The family expresses gratitude to all who touched Gordon’s life, especially those who cared for him in recent years. He will be dearly missed, but his happy demeanor and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.