Jay L. Olsen
July 27, 1931 — December 29, 2023
Jay Lee Olsen passed away December 29, 2023 at the age of 92 at the Mission Care Center in Centerfield, Utah.
Jay was born in Ephraim, Utah on July 27, 1931 to Joseph H. Olsen and Caroline Bailey Poulson.
He was one of God’s special children. His father passed away when he was 10. Jay spent his childhood in Ephraim with his mother and grandmother. Many hours of his youth were spent herding sheep and riding horses.
As an adult he lived in the Provo Training School and several other care centers where he recalled sadness and abuse.
Jay met Carol Joyce Allen at the Provo Training School. They were married in Kanab, Utah November 9, 1964 and later sealed in the Manti LDS Temple on May 6, 1993. Jay always said he married her twice! She preceded him in death on May 27, 2014.
Jay and Carol were able to live on their own in the later years of their lives. They had many good people who watched over them and helped them with their daily living tasks.
Jay loved riding horses in his youth and missed it so much in his adult life. He loved to fish! He was known to own over a dozen fishing poles and spent his time rigging them for the next adventure. He raised rabbits for years.
For many years Jay took great pride in “making his rounds” and would check all the doors of the businesses downtown, making sure they were locked. He did this until he was 87 and no longer could walk safely by himself.
Jay was a stubborn old man, it was his way or no way! He will be missed and remembered for all the stories he told and his cute, silly little grin!
Jay is preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother: Bennie Olsen; and two sisters: Beulah and Iva Olsen.
We would like to thank all those who helped Jay in any way to live a better life. A special thanks to “The Weasel” aka Kreg Parry who was his friend and worked with him for many years, as well as Karl Nielsen who always watched out for and loved him.
Interment will be held at a later date in the Ephraim City Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jay L. Olsen, please visit our flower store.