Maury Clayton Nelson

Maury Clayton Nelson was called home on August 29, 2015, at the age of 56. Maury was born in Everett, WA on November 30, 1958 to Charles and Audrey Nelson. Maury graduated from Arlington High School (AHS) in Arlington, WA in 1978. He was very involved in the AHS football team and was voted Best Blocker his senior year. Before every football game he would “pump up” to No More Mister Nice Guy by Alice Cooper and kick butt on the field. Shortly after graduation he moved to Spokane, WA and attended Spokane Community College (SCC). He graduated from SCC in the early 80s as a Certified Welder.

Maury met the love of his life, Mikki, on Friday the 13th in July of 1984. Maury & Mikki fell in love instantly & deeply. They never spent a day apart and were married on August 16, 1986. They could always be found tearing up the dance floor and making great memories with friends & family. Maury loved Mikki’s son Jared as his own child, taking on the role of Dad from the very beginning. Maury & Mikki welcomed their daughter Karlee in 1988 and completed their family.

Maury worked as a Certified Welder until 1996, when he was diagnosed with Diabetes. Due to complications Maury lost much of his vision and was unable to continue welding. For the next thirteen years he helped Mikki at their in-home daycare; rocking & feeding babies, creating outdoor obstacle courses, building play equipment, and making the kids smile. In August of 2008 Maury’s mother Audrey suggested he apply for work at the newly opened Spokane branch of The Lighthouse for The Blind, a Seattle based non-profit organization focused on creating opportunities for independence & self-sufficiency for people who are blind. Maury’s background & previous work experience made him a perfect fit for The Lighthouse and he was hired on the spot. Maury took pride in his work ethic, which facilitated his frequent advancements through his seven years with The Lighthouse. Maury became a trainer, mentor, and advocate for his co-workers, teaching them work ethic, “blind etiquette”, and how to work as a team. His co-workers always knew where he was in the shop by following the sound of loud rock music.

Maury’s love of music carried through every area of his life. He always had the music “cranked,” usually rocking out to bands like Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, AC/DC, or Elton John. Maury had a passion for the loud engines of muscle cars and motorcycles. He loved burnin’ rubber and lettin’ the smoke roll. Whenever Mikki drove, Maury told her to “step on it.” Maury always had the cleanest cars in Spokane, which according to his sister Gerri, is a Nelson family trait. Maury was a dedicated ZAGS and Seahawks fan and could be heard yelling at the TV during every season. Maury was an animal lover, which showed through his spoiling of every dog in his life, including the service dogs at The Lighthouse, as well as his four grand-dogs.

Maury’s greatest passion was his wife Mikki & their family. He loved spending time with all his kids. Maury was at every family dinner, potluck, pickle party, birthday, and holiday. He loved front porchin’ it and watching the sprinkler with Mikki. Maury felt lucky to have Mikki as his wife and never let her forget it. He took great care of her and her heart and told her every day how beautiful she was. Maury was always proud to carry his wife’s’ purse and occasionally was able to sneak out of the house with slippers on. Maury was more than excited about his first grandchild and could not wait to be “crap-pa” and “spoil that baby”.

Maury is survived by his wife Mikki of 29 years; his son Jared (Lindsay); and his daughter Karlee (Travis) and his first grandbaby on the way. He is also survived by his brother Larry Nelson (Penny); his brother Randy Nelson (Charlene); his sister Gerri Johnson (Randy); his stepfather Bert Marsh; his stepbrother Larry Marsh (Amy); his stepbrother Bert Marsh; his stepsister Terri Cooper (Kenny); his stepsister Sara Greene (Robert); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Maury was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Dale.