Charles LeRoy Nelson

YAKIMA - Charles (Chuck) Nelson passed away peacefully and quickly into the arms of God Monday, January 30, 2012 in his home. His family was at his bedside. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer December 27, 2011. Chuck was born in Oak, Nebraska February 27, 1928 to Harold J. Nelson and Florence L. Wood Nelson.

He lived in Scottsbluff, Nebraska until 1937 when the family moved to Richland, WA, and then in 1943 to Grandview, WA. He graduated from Grandview High School in 1946.

After several years of miscellaneous employment in the lower valley he started working in the service department of the Pontiac Oldsmobile dealership in 1952 at Grandview. He later moved into the body shop and with his friend, Charles Faulk, built a business in auto body repair. He continued in this capacity until he retired in November 1984.

He married Elizabeth Wininger at Sunnyside, WA November 1947 and to this union was born one

son, Douglas L. Nelson. Chuck resided in Grandview until 1988.

His wife, Betty, passed away in February 1986. In May 1988 he married Alice Cone of Yakima, WA.

Together they enjoyed their senior years together with family, grandchildren and travel. One of his favorite vacation destinations was the Oregon coast where he spent many Memorial Day weekends with the grandchildren and family. This past May completed the 21st such annual gathering. In their twenty-some years together they made extensive auto trips and visited all but 8 states.

Charles enjoyed hobbies of hunting,fishing, motorcycle riding and car racing in his earlier years. In the years following his son’s graduation from college in 1972 Chuck, his wife “Betty” and their son participated in NASCAR late model

sportsman car racing.Together they built their race car and competed in local car races until 1996.

In his senior years in Yakima Chuck enjoyed gardening and “manicuring” his beautiful yard. He appreciated the short chats from the walkers that stopped along the way to comment on nature’s beauty or share his tomato patch. He never met a stranger.

Chuck has been a member of Holy Family Parish since 1988 where he served as an Eucharistic Minister and an active member in his small group from the parish.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife “Betty” in 1986, brothers, Lyman in December 2004 and Wendell in December 2005.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alice, son Douglas and daughterin-law Merrilee, stepson Bruce Cone and daughter-in-law Kim, all of Yakima; stepson Brad Cone and Connie Heggenberger of Sultan, WA; grandchildren Lacey Cone of Tacoma, Matthew Cone of Kennewick, Austin Cone of Everett and Seth Cone of Yakima; sisters-in-law and families, Martha Nelson of

Richland, Mary Powell of Grandview, Margaret Coia of San Louis Obispo, CA, Margie Goulden, brother-in-law Jeff and niece Molly of Edgewood, WA, brother-in-law Jim Meyer of Sunnyside, brother-in-law Joe Roberson and sister-in-law Diane of Yakima; nephews Jim Nelson of Richland and Charles Nelson of Camano Island, WA and extended families.

The family wishes to extend a grateful thank you to Dr. Dan Doornink with whom Chuck enjoyed a bit of football jesting the past 20 years; also to Shelby Anderson from hospice. Shelby is one of God’s lovable and compassionate creations.

Chuck was a very gentle man, thoughtful, friendly, helpful and considerate. He was a man of commitment, loyalty and integrity. He was a people person enjoying a magnetic, cheerful personality. His welcoming smile and teasing twinkle in his eye will live on in memory to all who knew him. He ran a good race. He is at peace and all are blessed with a lasting and happy presence of his personage.

Visitation will be held Monday February 6 from4 to 7 PM at Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

A vigil service will follow at 7 PM.

Funeral Mass at Holy Family Church Tuesday, February 7 at 11 AM.

Reception at the church will follow.

Burial at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens Wednesday, February 8 at

11 AM.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Volunteer Chore Service, Catholic Family and Child, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima, WA 98908.