John Joseph Olson, 82, of Allentown, died peacefully Oct. 2, 2022, in his home.

Born Oct. 15, 1939, in Lansford, he was the son of the late Hillmer and Myrtle (Koch) Olson.

A 1957 graduate of Allentown High School, he excelled there in academics and sports including football, basketball and track and field.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Moravian College in 1961 where he was a football and basketball stand-out and a member of the Omicron Gamma Omega fraternity.

He then attended Kutztown University where he received a Master’s degree in education in social studies.

He met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Scharadin, in February 1963.

The couple lived in Allentown where he was a special-education teacher in Upper Perkiomen High School for 37 years until his retirement in 1997. During his teaching career, he coached football, basketball and track and field, and officiated basketball games.

He was also the Lehigh County Agricultural Society box office manager for 20 years and was honored as a 50-year member of the Travelers Protective Association of America.

A very competitive college athlete, in football, he was known as Coach Rocco Calvo’s “lonesome end in orbit.”

Upon graduation, he received a draft from the Green Bay Packers but, instead, chose to pursue a career as a high school teacher.

He credited his start in sports to youth participation in the Allentown Boys Club.

Also a team player, his high school newspaper awarded him the 1956-57 good Sportsmanship Award.

He was loyal to his alma mater, never missing a class reunion in 65 years.

After retiring, he and his wife continued to reside in the area, enjoying golf, outdoor recreation and spending time with their family.

He enjoyed watching the Eagles, Phillies and West Virginia Mountaineers play.

In addition, he was a skilled golfer who enjoyed the challenge of PGA golf courses across the country.

Remembered as a kind and soft-spoken man with a sharp wit and a love for books, he read library books every day.

An avid history buff, he often read historical novels and visited historical sites.

He loved the time spent with his wife, daughters and grandchildren, who often accompanied him and his wife on their travels.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by sisters Janice Harleman and Linda Moyer; two daughters and son-in-law, Lynn (Mark) Wingert, of Chippewa Falls, Wisc., and Kristina Olson of Barto; and grandchildren Margaret and Chloe Wingert and Hunter Berryman.

He was predeceased by his brother, Hillmer, and sister, Carol (Richard) Beltz.

A celebration of his life will be held at Stephens Funeral Home Inc., 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown, Oct. 7, with visitation 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

His service begins 11:30 a.m. followed by burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Ave., Allentown, PA 18104.