Chris Edwin Olson

Chris E. Olson, 45, of Frederick, died Sunday, March 6, 2011, after an extended illness. Born August 17, 1965, in Frederick, he was the son of Barbara LeGore Olson and the late Roger E. Olson. He was the companion of Amy Morrow Funk for 13 years.

Chris attended Governor Thomas Johnson High School where he was the starting center for TJ's Dream Team of Football which went undefeated for 3 years and won the State Football Championship in 1982. A multi-talented student, Chris played saxophone in the jazz ensemble and appeared on "It's Academic!" In 1983, the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation granted Chris its Scholar-Athlete Award for outstanding football performance, academic achievement, and leadership. Chris was also voted President of the Class of 1983.

Chris received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He played freshman football and was president of his fraternity Phi Kappa Sigma. Shortly after graduation, he founded Olson Business Development, a small business consulting firm serving clients locally and globally. In addition to running his own company, he also served as art director for three local publications, vice president for a local venture capital & financing company, and chief operating officer for a mail & data processing company. Most recently, he was the Frederick County consultant for the Maryland Small Business Development Center, a position which he filled with passion and excellence. He was the coordinator of the Frederick Entrepreneur Support Network, past president of the Entrepreneur Council of Frederick County, and the facilitator of the Frederick "Coalition of Chambers," a regular meeting of diverse business support and advocacy associations.

Chris was presented with the City Of Frederick Partners Award in recognition of and appreciation for his extraordinary service to the business community in the City of Frederick. He was also honored at the national ASBDC conference as the State Star for Maryland and became a member of the Million Dollar Club for securing one or more loans of one million dollars or more. Chris continued his athletic interests as an adult participating in softball and volleyball through various local recreational leagues. He was an avid reader, a creative writer, a music lover, a movie buff, and a trivial pursuit champion.

Chris was predeceased by a brother, David Lee Olson. He is survived by two brothers, Kenton R. Olson of Hagerstown, Eric Olson and his wife Dawn of Keymar; and sister Laurie Hollinger of Lansing, MI; eight nieces and nephews, Jacob D. Olson, Daniel B. Olson, Maegan E. Olson, Britton G. Olson, Ben A. Olson, Shawna Bevier, Caitlyn Kuechelhan, and David Griffin; and dear friend, D. Abigail Funk.

Arrangements are being handled by Keeney and Basford Funeral Home 106 East Church Street, Frederick. A memorial service will be held at Evangelical Lutheran Church 35 East Church Street, Frederick, at 2:00 pm on Saturday March 12, 2011, with a reception immediately following. The Reverend Doctor Robert Driver-Bishop and Father Robert E. Albright will preside over the service.

Online condolences can be left at keeneybasford.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following organizations: Carroll Hospice 292 Stoner Avenue Westminster, MD 21157

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