On Monday, August 17th, 2015 at 2pm, Jack Gordon Olpin passed away and returned to Heaven rejoicing with loving family that had gone before him. Jack, 81, was born to Albert Wilkey Olpin and Irene Stephenson (both high school sweethearts from Nephi High School, Utah) at L.D.S. Hospital. As Jack grew, he loved sports and academics. His science teacher helped him receive a scholarship (from West High School) to attend the University of Utah. Jack graduated from the "U" with a degree in zoology in 1956. During those years at the "U," Jack spent all four years as a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and ROTC, where many friends were made for life. He worked as a bus boy and bell man at the Hotel Utah and the Temple Square Hotel where his mother was the front desk manager. From that time period on, Jack's life turned into a whirlwind. In the Greek system, Jack had found and fell in love with a pretty blonde named Irene from Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Every year at Kingsbury Hall quartets gathered to sing. On a faithful spring night, Jack gathered his quartet together and sang "Goodnight Irene" to his pretty blonde in the third row. The rest was history! They soon married.
Jack, upon graduation, joined the Air Force and had his first son "Scott," second son "Todd," daughter "Kimber Lynn," fourth son "Tyler," and fifth son "Christopher." After Kimber was born, Jack finished his graduate degrees in Public Health and Hospital Administration at the University of California, Berkeley. With his medical background Jack became the assistant administration at L.D.S. Hospital. Two years later, Jack built and became the first CEO at Cottonwood Hospital in Murray, Utah. After five years at Cottonwood, Jack left for "sunny" California where he became Chief Executive Officer at Fresno Community Hospital. From 1973-1981, Jack and the family lived in North San Diego County. He was CEO of the pre-eminent Tri-City Hospital in Oceanside, California. Jack continued operating and building hospitals throughout the United States until his retirement. He was the CEO of hospitals in Germantown, TN, Manhattan, NY, New Orleans, LO, Santa Ana, CA. Dedicated to a life of public service, he served as the President of The Utah State Hospital Association and as the President of both San Diego and Imperial Counties Hospital Associations. He was also a fellow in the American College of Hospital Administrators.
Jack will always be remembered by his sense of humor and his unique ability to make everyone feel their own self-worth with an optimistic smile and words of encouragement. Dad, we love and miss you.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mill Pond Ward, 417 Benson Road, Stansbury Park, Utah. Friends and family can visit Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and Saturday one hour prior to the service at the ward building. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
