Nelson J. Dakmak

Our beloved Nelson was born May 27, 1924, in Detroit. He passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at age 83. He was a 50-year resident of Baton Rouge. Before moving to Baton Rouge, he attended Assumption College in Windsor, Canada, and ASTP, Pasadena Junior College. He joined the U.S. Army on May 10, 1943, and served until Feb. 11, 1946. In World War II, he was part of the Rhineland and Central Europe battle campaigns as a medic. He received the Victory Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars. He began his 50+ year restaurant management career as part owner of the Royal Nevada Hotel&Casino in Las Vegas and part owner of the Lake Tahoe Monte Carlo Restaurant&Casino in Crystal Bay, Nev. He managed Del Lago's for nine years and Drusilla Seafood Restaurant for 22 years before retiring in 2005. Nelson is survived by his sons, William J. Dakmak and J. Mark Dakmak, both of Houston, and Nelson J. Dakmak Jr. and wife Terri McNemar Dakmak; and grandsons, Daren Dakmak, Neal Dakmak and John Blake Dakmak. He is also survived by his brother, George P. Dakmak, of Detroit, his wife, Mary Ellen; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ramza Dakmak; sister, Evelyn Dakmak, who was of Detroit; and uncle, John R. Dakmak. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Sunday, May 4, was from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., on Monday, May 5, at 10 a.m. with Mass at 11 a.m.