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HOMER "SONNY" OLSEN, JR.
November 16, 1934 - January 14, 2022
Bio
Newspaper Article(s)
OLSEN
Homer “Sonny” Olsen, Jr. of San Antonio passed away peacefully on
January 14th, 2022, with his family faithfully by his side. The family is thankful
for the exceptional care provided by Vitas Healthcare and nurse Margaret. Homer was
an extraordinary and brilliant man, and it will be difficult to summarize his life in
a few words.
Homer was born in San Antonio on November 16th, 1934, to Homer and Clara Joy Olsen.
He graduated from Brackenridge High School where he met the love of his life and future
wife, Barbara Jean DeKunder. They were inseparable until her passing in 2016. They
would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary later that year. The family
is thankful for the love and good care provided by his wife Gela Olsen during the
last few years of his life.
Homer earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas
in 1956 and was a proud Longhorn. He went on to work for several large oil and gas
companies as a petroleum engineer, but made the gutsy and monumental decision in the
early 1970s to become an independent oil and gas producer. This was done with four
children in school and close to college age. His deals were successful and Olsen
Energy, Inc. was founded in Midland in 1978. He continued to work in the business
until his passing and took great pride that the day-to-day operations were run by his
son Rusty and son-in-law David. The third generation of the family has recently joined
the business. Homer was an extraordinary businessman, with honesty and integrity
always being first and foremost. He set a great example for his family.
Homer was a devout Christian man, with Homer and Barbara being faithful members of
the First United Methodist Church of Midland and Coker United Methodist Church in
San Antonio since 1982. They were beloved members of the Questors Sunday school
class. Homer was also a Trustee of the Coker Cemetery Association for many years,
and will soon join Barbara in a very special place in Coker Cemetery.
Homer loved to golf (playing 18 holes the week before he passed away), hunt and fish
on his ranches, play bridge, and travel. He especially loved family trips to Colorado
and Italy. The family had the time of their lives with him for a week in Tuscany as
he searched for his favorite dish, spaghetti picante. He loved country music and was
a great dancer. He was playful and competitive, and his children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren loved it when he attended family events. His family meant
everything to him. He gave the best hugs!
Homer was always a frugal, thrifty man despite his business success. (Cars being the
only exception.) But he was always very generous with his family and charitable
causes. In 2019 he donated a Bloodmobile (named the “Yellow Rose” in memory of
Barbara) to the Blood and Tissue Center Foundation that will serve all of South
Texas for many years and save many lives. Once again, he has set a high bar and is
a great example for all of his family.
Homer is survived by Gela, his wife of almost four years, his four children, Cindy
Schneider (David), Rusty Olsen (Sylvia), Cathy Bailey (Dane), and Christy White
(Scott). He left behind ten wonderful grandchildren, Diana Rendon (Ray), Kristen
Boerger (Jonathan), David R. Schneider (Yvonne), Nicole Trevino (Javier), Chris
Olsen, Morgan Bailey (Kris), Laura Chadic (Joe), Delaney McGill (James), Kayla White
and Avery White. Five great-grandchildren are also part of his legacy, Ava Rendon,
Levi Rendon, Weston Boerger, Emmaline Boerger, Tristan “T.J.” Trevino, and Samuel
“Bear” Chadic. In addition, his bereaved family includes all the members of wife
Gela’s family.
A service celebrating Homer’s life will be held at Coker United Methodist
Church, 231 E. North Loop Road, San Antonio, on Wednesday, January 26th, at 11:00
a.m., with burial to follow in Coker Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David V.
Schneider, Dane Bailey, Scott White, David R. Schneider, Chris Olsen, Larry Brister,
Jay Rabon and Glen McClaugherty.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the
Mays Cancer Center and the Blood & Tissue Center Foundation.
Porter Loring Mortuary North
2102 N. Loop 1604 E.
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 495-8221
www.porterloring.com
Published on the Porter Loring Mortuary website on January 20, 2022.
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