STEPHEN UNGER OLSEN, SR.
"SPIKE, PIGEON, COACH & PAPA PIGEON"

FEBRUARY 9, 1942 - AUGUST 9, 2024

Born in Highland Park, Illinois on a Monday, Spike came into this world with a quickness, three weeks early to the surprise of his parents George Magnus Olsen, Jr. and Margot Corinne Unger. He grew up in Rochelle, Illinois with his sister, Orinda "Rindy" and Charles Eric "Chuckles".  Early in his life, the Rochelle Fire Department was dispatched to bring their largest hook & ladder to rescue a teenager from a church steeple in Rochelle, where he was catching pigeons at 10:00 pm one evening. This is when Spike the Rochelle Township High School track and basketball star earned his alias "Pigeon" from several local papers.  He never lost his love of birds, and was a Master Breeder of Show Pigeons; more than a thousand still expect him to visit daily at feeding time.
He graduated from Rochelle Township High School "Class of 1960" and  FSU "Class of 1965" with his degree in Education, where he attended on a full scholarship as a sprinter & high hurdler. Stephen still holds two school records for the super high hurdler events in the 1960's. He landed his first job at Plant City High School in 1966, but found his home in Bradenton, Florida where he taught Driver's Education for 30 years and Coached Varsity Girl's Basketball & Girl's Softball for 20 years from 1976-1996 at Manatee High School. Spike was honored to be inducted into the Rochelle Township High School Hall of Fame, Class of 2005, and he was inducted into the Manitee High School Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.  He truly loved the Hurricanes and bled Red, White, & Blue.  The love of sports, animals, and sports collectibles led him to pursue a second career as Men & Youth Basketball and event Coordinator for Manatee County Parks & Recreation from 1969-2006.
His favorite singer was Frank Sinatra and his go to song was "My Way" and that is how he lived his life, "Spike's Way." He had two speeds for most of his life: FULL-THROTTLE & STOP!! He was passionate about the things he loved and he loved his wife of 60 years, Judith Anita "Judy", his angel, above all else.  He left to meet his maker full-throttle, asleep in his chair at home after watching the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game, while listening to Frank Sinatra.
Papa Pigeon's memory will be kept alive by his wife, brother and sister, two children, eight grandkids, and six great grandchildren.  The family remembers his favorite quote as he raced through life, "If you are not five minutes early you are late!" His many friends and family feel like he jumped the gun on his race to the Pearly Golden Gates of Heaven, but the Big Pigeon could not wait to get his wings.
THANK YOU family and friends for all the condolences, blessings, prayers, and great memories you have expressed since his passing. The family is still feeling the void and silence without our Coach and will have a Celebration of Life at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at his home. Please RSVP to Kim at (904) 333-3179 to attend.  Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.