Rest in Peace "Paul Olson #180"

[jmoto42]

For those who knew Paul as a regular Burleson MX racer on his 80's model Suzuki, he lost his long and courageous battle with cancer today. Besides being a talented MX racer he was the type of individual who would give you the shirt off his back to help you if needed and I for one will miss him greatly.

There will be a special ceremony next Sunday April 1st at 3:00 pm at Burleson MX per Paul's wishes to memorialize his life. Please come and celebrate the life of a great individual

[Track Medic]

I never knew Paul as a competitor - thank God! I only knew his as a friend and an occasional patient. He was one of the finest men I'd ever met. He was a superb rider and fiercely competitive, yet he stopped many a time for a downed rider. He gave me rides to the far side of the track to help someone injured - and then go back to racing. He wasn't perfect - he'd get riled up about they way someone was riding - but, the next moto, he'd just blast by them. He always seemed to have a smile and a good word for everyone. He was kind and forgiving to a fault - but what a great fault to have! He was humble, but backed up his humility with talent and heart. He'd race hard, but whether 1st or 15th he would shake your hand. He loved competition but not competitiveness. When he first got sick, he tackled the cancer with more faith, courage and enthusiasm than I'd ever seen. In my line of work I've seen far too much. He knew the cards were stacked against him. He knew he was in way over his head. He didn't let it show. He didn't give cancer the pleasure of seeing his fear. Paul and I talked at great lengths of what was ahead for him. He knew and he wanted to take it head-on. We talked of the treatments and options available to him. He devoured the information he researched. If I had studied as hard as he did I would have been a great doctor! He knew what he was up against. Even though he had no illusions of the toughness of the fight or even its' inevitable outcome. He would not give up or back down. He loved life - but more so, he loved his family and friends. His warm smile and infectious enthusiasm will be dearly missed by all of us who were blessed to know him. I have lost a great and dear friend.
I admire his courage, fortitude, dignity and tenacity. Notice I used the present tense. Paul Olson will always live in my heart and mind. I could only hope to be one-tenth of the man Paul was. But I will try. He gave me a pinnacle to strive for. Paul, I hope I don't let you down.
God speed Paul

[fmf]

R.I.P , Paul could ride an old p.o.s. bike faster than most people can ride a modern bike, simply amazing to watch! Truly an honor to race against him and call him a friend . He will be missed at the races!!!

[bigmike]

Paul was a Great Man for sure, great to talk to, great to race with !!! I am gonna miss going by his shop and hearing " hey Mikey, look at what I bought ",, always something to do with a old RM he found on ebay..lol.... he was a fair racer and never took a another rider out to make a pass ( I think Mikey P. had his own version of a crash one day..lol ), of all the racing Paul and I had together we only crash into eachother once. Rest In Piece Paul !!,, May God be with You !!!!

[cyclepop]

Good speed Paul, he was a blast to race with and us two Suzuki guys could talk all day about our ol' rides. The last time I talked to him, he gave me a hard time for restoring a old YZ. But hey it was yellow man!

[6worcs]

R.I.P . will miss him a longtime friend.