Ronlad R. Nelson September 14, 1934 – February 23, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card While traveling and visiting family, Ronald Ray Nelson, 84, of Little Switzerland, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2019. He was cared for in his brother, Keith’s home in Yuma, Arizona and surrounded by his loved ones. Ron was born at home, to parents Hans Nelson and Ina Nelson, on September 14, 1934 on a small farm in Maskell, Nebraska.
After graduating from Newcastle High School in Nebraska, Ron was enlisted by his brother, Keith into the Air Force at age 18 and entered flight training. Although he did not pursue a career as a pilot, Ron was exhilarated by being in the air. Ron was married to Elaine for 25 years and had three children: Scott, Tamera, and Greg.
Ron always enjoyed working with his hands. At different times, he worked as a car mechanic, assembling his own Bentley GT from a car kit, as a builder, constructing his own home in Coeur d’Alene ID, and ran a sawmill with his brother Merlyn. He lived in Los Angeles, California and worked for approximately 20 years for the Housing Authority of the City.
One of his proudest achievements was the creation of one of the nation’s first Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs and he was committed to ensuring safe, clean, and proper housing for the underserved population. He was noted for his service during fire and earthquake disasters and was awarded an Outstanding Service Award by LA Mayor Tom Bradley. Ron was married to Deborah for 35 years.
In their life together he became an endless entrepreneur. They owned and managed 3 independent video tape rental stores and a travel agency in Seattle, and most recently The Historic Taxi Stand and Craft Market in Little Switzerland, creating and selling handcrafted items. Ron loved gardening and he was an avid fly fisher and nature lover, active in conservation.
He enjoyed woodworking, ballroom dancing, crossword puzzles and Scrabble, and cooking for his family — he is famous for cinnamon rolls, pancakes, and his mother’s fried chicken. His greatest passion was world travel and adventure — he and Debbie visited over 50 countries together. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Lois Stockey & Lavon Parchman; and his brother, Harold Nelson.
He was also sadly preceded in death by his beloved son, Scott Nelson. Ronald is survived by his children: his daughter, Tamera Anderson & her husband, Larry of Bodfish, CA; his son, Greg Nelson & his wife, Kristy of Seattle, WA; and his step-daughter, Dr. Tara Vick & her husband, Michael of Charlotte, NC. Ron is also survived by his two brothers, Keith Nelson of Oroville, CA & Merlyn Nelson of Harrison, ID; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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