Calvin Tod Olsen

Calvin Tod Olsen, 58, passed away on April 17, 2024. He was born on December 7, 1965, to Elliott and Cecil Olsen in Safford, Arizona. He was the seventh of nine children, with eight other siblings: Barbara, Lamar, Jerry, Howard, Janice, Shirley, Vicki and Charles.

Calvin graduated from Kofa High School in Yuma, Arizona in 1984. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California, San Jose Mission from April 1985 to April of 1987.

He married Erin Lisa Damron on November 28, 1987, in the Oakland California temple. Together they had four children, Tod Olsen, Derek Olsen, Nina Payne, and Erika McClellan. They were married for 34 years before divorcing in 2022.

He graduated from Rick’s College (BYU-I) in Rexburg, Idaho in 1991 with an associate degree in computer systems and later received a certificate in electronic repairs from Titos Electronics. He moved to Pocatello in 1993 for a job at Merlin’s TV where he worked until 2021. In 2021, he moved to Brigham City, Utah where he got a job at Northrop Grumman working as an electronics technician. In 2023, he found out he had cancer.

Calvin enjoyed playing church basketball, even though that’s where he got most of his scars and injuries. He also enjoyed playing softball with the Merlin’s TV team. He loved the outdoors and spending his time camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. He most recently found a fondness for kayaking and paddle boarding. Whenever he was near the water, you could expect him to end up in it, whether the water was warm or cold.

Calvin loved to “do it yourself” and was a “fixer.” He would never pay for anything he thought he could do or build himself. He always had TVs laying around that he was fixing for friends or for work. He was well-known for his restored orange 1973 Ford Bronco. He recently started a new hobby of reloading ammunition.

Calvin was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He lived in the 26th Ward of the Pocatello Idaho West Stake for over 25 years. He also lived in the 6th Ward (Deaf Ward) of the Pocatello Alameda Stake and the 8th Ward of the Brigham City Utah Stake. He served in many callings throughout his life, including Executive Secretary to the Bishopric, Young Men’s Leader, Sunday School Teacher, and High Counselor. His favorite calling of all was Scout Master.

He is survived by his four children, Tod (Felisha) Olsen, Derek Olsen, Nina (Cardon) Payne, Erika (Sean) McClellan; brothers and sisters, Barbara, Lamar, Jerry (Colleen), Howard (Anita), Janice (Al), Shirley, Vicki (Rich), Charles; twelve grandchildren, Aurora, Forrest, August, Leona, Levi, Blake, Trapper, Clay, Cooper, Maddox, Jemma, and Quincy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elliot, and Cecil Olsen.

Calvin’s family would like to extend a big thank you to Joe Worrell (Owner of Merlin’s TV) for all his help and support throughout Calvin’s life, as well as Mike and Paula Valentine and the Brigham City 8th Ward, especially the Elders Quorum President, Barry Richardson, and ministering brother, Alan Hebbert, during his final years.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3444 Hawthorne Road, Pocatello, ID. Viewings will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, May 3 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID and at 10:00 am on Saturday at the church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, ID.

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