Bill Text: AZ SR1004 | 2022 | Fifty-fifth Legislature 2nd Regular | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mickey Ollson; death resolution
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-06-14 - Transmitted to Secretary of State [SR1004 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2022-SR1004-Enrolled.html
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Senate Engrossed
Mickey Ollson; death resolution |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session 2022
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SENATE RESOLUTION 1004 |
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A Resolution
on the death of mickey ollson.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Mickey Ollson passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones on January 9, 2022 at the age of 80 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Mickey graduated from North High School in 1959 and went on to earn both his bachelor's degree in business and master's degree in marketing from Arizona State University (ASU). He was a member of several business fraternities and the president of Kappa Sigma and worked as a popular disk jockey at the University's radio station. It was during those years at ASU that Mickey learned how his love for animals could help to pay for the cost of his education by raising rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters and selling them to local pet stores.
After graduation, Mickey started teaching at Alhambra High School, and his love for animals continued to grow and never waned. He founded Ollson's Rare Bird Farm where he bred rare and endangered birds for zoological facilities across the country.
Once he retired, Mickey took a risk and used his life savings to make his childhood dream a reality by opening Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park, which was then considered the far, far West Valley. With a hammer in hand and a few good friends in tow, he helped to personally frame the zoo's first buildings, and he and his team continued to build as the zoo expanded to nearly 100 acres.
In order to share his wealth of experience, Mickey cofounded the Arizona United Animal Care and Business Coalition to represent the diverse experience and expertise of the animal care community through advocacy, education and engagement. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Zoological Association of America's Lifetime Achievement Award, which is considered the highest award honoring professional excellence and contribution toward the zoo industry.
A stalwart worker with a creative and passionate vision, Mickey's Wildlife World Zoo has educated and entertained countless visitors over the past 38 years. He was on-site at the zoo almost every day to keep up to date with the animals and their keepers, and was proud to see his childhood vision of owning a zoo turn into Arizona's largest exotic animal collection with over 6,000 animals.
Mickey is survived by his wife, Connie, his four children, Micalin, Louis, Kenny and DeShawn, his eight grandchildren and his three great-grandchildren. He will be missed by his loved ones and the countless colleagues who worked so selflessly to care for the animals at the Wildlife World Zoo.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona:
That the Members of the Senate extend their most sincere sympathies and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mickey Ollson.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE SENATE JUNE 14, 2022.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 14, 2022.
