Dorian Ray Olsen

Dorian Ray Olsen

September 9, 1964 - September 12, 2025

At the end of a valiantly fought 9-month battle with cancer, Dorian passed away in his own home surrounded by the voices of his loving family. 61 years earlier, his life began in Bonners Ferry, Idaho; a gift to his parents Lamar and Dorothy Olsen. He grew up with two brothers and a sister who all helped work on the family farm from an early age. The skills and perseverance he learned there served him well during his time in Boy Scouts and carried him through his high school years, where he played the trumpet in marching band and graduated with his class of ‘84. He went on to serve an LDS mission in Texas to begin his adult life.

Having spent parts of early childhood driving tractors, Dorian naturally learned from his father the art of operating and fixing machines. His talent followed him into adulthood, giving him the skills to build a custom engine for his high school car, a 1964 Impala that he shared many fond stories of. The Impala brought him and a camping trailer to live in Arizona, where he earned an associate degree in Electronics from DeVry University. After graduating, he moved to Utah where he had relatives and started a career in appliance repair.

This ended up being the best decision he could have made, because it was here that he met his amazing wife, Grace. It was meant to be from the beginning, getting married on Valentines Day, 1994 by Judge Valentine after only 4 months together. They went on to share many great moments; from outdoor adventures and spontaneous highway drives with great music, to relaxing evenings spent in nice restaurants, and a routine of Sunday morning breakfasts together.

Eventually, the time came to begin the greatest adventure of all: fatherhood. In 1999 he welcomed his son Nicholas into the world, opening a chapter of teaching and giving to those he loved. This story continued with his daughter Davie joining the family in 2003 and making the household complete. Dorian celebrated the milestones of his children while teaching them valuable lessons about life, watching the family grow together. As he worked hard in his career and supported Grace in her own, he still did his best to spend time with his family and give them the things that money can’t buy.

Leading his children on the right path into adulthood, he joined them in making new memories. He followed the family tradition of passing on his mechanical talents and driving skills to his son, shared his love of the outdoors with both children, and gave his daughter support in her creative goals; showing up to dance recitals even as the odd dad out. In 2020 he welcomed his son’s partner, Emma, into the family’s adventures as a daughter of his own. His wealth of knowledge held value more than gold, and with endless generosity he followed through to help those around him.

Dorian is survived by his wife Grace Olsen, son Nicholas (Emma Birks) Olsen, daughter Davie Olsen, mother Dorothy Olsen, brother Marlin (Michelle) Olsen, sister Dawnetta (Chad) Thompson, and brother Mark (Valery) Olsen. Preceded in death by his father Dale Lamar Olsen and maternal/paternal grandparents.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 18th at 6:00 PM and Friday, September 19th at 8:45-9:45 AM at Russon Mortuary, 295 N Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 19th at 10:00 AM at the same location followed by interment at Farmington City Cemetery, 500 S 200 E Farmington, Utah. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the family’s Venmo (@Grace-Olsen-1) or GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/2a982f878). A live stream of the services will be provided and the link can be found here 15 minutes prior to the service. 

Dorian’s name means “a gift,” and his life was truly an ongoing gift to all who knew him.