Henry Christian Nelson passed gently into Heaven on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, just two weeks after his 96th birthday. Henry was a native Californian, spending his youth body-surfing and bumming at the beach. He served his country in WWII in the military police in France and England. When he returned, he met the lovely Dorothy Huddleston through a Christian Young People's Group. They were married in 1950, and soon after built their own chicken ranch on Batavia in Orange. He loved ranching, growing things, and working with his hands. After retiring, he volunteered hundreds of hours at the Veterans' Hospital and the Red Cross, where he donated over 40 gallons of blood. He enjoyed traveling, seeing much of Europe and most of the United States. His booming bass was well known at church where he sang many years in the choir. He was always ready with a joke and a deck of cards. Henry was a devoted husband to Dorothy for 66 years, and was beloved by his children, Doug (Ellen) Nelson and Nancie (Bob) Struck, his three grandchildren, and his three great-grandchildren. Memorial Service to be held at 1:00 on Monday, May 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Orange.
