Ronald John Olofson, 80, of Smithwick, S.D., passed away Jan. 12, 2017, of congestive heart failure with his wife and son by his side. Ron was born April 28, 1936, in Yankton, S.D., to Loyal and Jenny Olofson. Ron graduated from Yankton High School, received his bachelor degree from Northern State University School of Education in 1958, magna cum laude and received his masters degree from the University of Utah in 1964.

Ron was united in marriage to Sue Allison Smith on Aug. 31, 1956, in Aberdeen and moved to Tehachapi, Calif, in 1960. Ron taught junior high mathematics. Nineteen years later, after spending time in Bishop, Calif, and the Midwest, Ron and Sue returned to Tehachapi in the summer of 1979 with their three children Kari, Craig and Chris. Ron then taught mathematics for 20 years at both Tehachapi High School and Jacobsen Middle School.

Ron was a remarkable man, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and older brother Jim. He is survived by his wife Sue Olofson, of Smithwick, S.D.; children Kari McIntosh and husband Dave of Kearney, Neb., Craig Olofson of Custer, S.D., and Chris Olofson and wife Nikki of Tehachapi; brother Bob Olofson of Plain City, Utah; grandchildren Kristen Olofson of Bend, Ore., Jesse and Lars Olofson, Nash and Harper Franko of Tehachapi, Louie Olofson and fiancée Amanda Gleason, Savannah Vollmer and husband Taylor of San Diego; and great-grandchild Braxton Vollmer of San Diego.

Ron was an avid outdoorsman; he loved to fish, ski and ride his bicycle. He spent his summers working for the Forest Service and had great love for the Eastern Sierras. He loved sports and watching his grandchildren compete. He was a walking encyclopedia of baseball facts. Ron was a great teacher and loved mathematics. He was also the advisor of both the ski and bicycle club at Tehachapi High School. For many years, Ron gave young kids the opportunity to ski for the first time as he took a bus load of students to Mammoth Mountain and Mountain High ski resorts annually.

Ron was a man of strong Christian faith and loved music. He and his loving wife Sue played the piano and organ together for many years at various churches and communities.