Karl Arthur Olson, the only child of Swedish immigrants born July 6, 1930, in Ross, Calif., died Dec. 25, 2010, in Reno after suffering a massive stroke.
Karl attended Marin County schools and graduated from Tamalpais High in Mill Valley, Calif. Following graduation, he signed a major league baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox and began play in their minor league organization. In July of 1951 he joined the Red Sox in Boston for a short period that ended with his being drafted in August of 1951. Following his service during the Korean War in Japan, he returned to the major leagues and played with the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, and Detroit Tigers until 1958. During his career, his biggest thrill was hitting two home runs in front of President Eisenhower. After leaving professional baseball, Karl moved to Lake Tahoe and Gardnerville where he established a successful contracting company and took up his favorite sport of golf.
Karl is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia of Gardnerville; son Cary (Nonie) of Gardnerville; son, Jerry (Leslie) of Wellington; and three grandchildren, Erik of San Diego, Calif., Keith of Reno, and Teal of Alex, Okla. He is preceded in death by his son, Terry.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tahoe Rim Trail, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 or Douglas County Search and Rescue, in care of Douglas County Sheriff's Office, P. O. Box 218, Minden, NV 89423.
A memorial service will be planned later in the spring of 2011.