Dwight Dean Nelson

Dwight Dean Nelson passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2014 just after 5:45 p.m. surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born June 18, 1925 as the oldest child of Oscar and Bertha Nelson, in Platte, South Dakota, he was soon joined by a sister and three younger brothers. When he was 10 years old, his father had had enough and took his young family, the youngest an infant, and gave in to the dust storms and let them blow all of them to Yuma, AZ; where his oldest brother had begun a homestead several years before. As a youngster in the Yuma Valley, Dwight grew up with his siblings, cousins, and lots of friends from Somerton to Yuma. They had a great life even though the depression was still everywhere and World War II was just beginning for the United States; when Dwight graduated from Yuma High School in 1943. Even before leaving Yuma for the U.S. Navy, he had made lots of enduring friends and that helped him make his decision not to join the Navy and become an officer as his commanders wished; as he had worked his way up to Radarman First Class. In the Navy, they called him responsible; during high school he was driven as he had three jobs from the summer after his junior year until he graduated. Dwight ran the important route # 1 for the Yuma Sun from 8th grade, then worked for Dunbar Chevrolet in the afternoon, and laid out the tools for Charley Gilpin for the C.C.C. boys at night to learn skills to become a carpenter, painter, etc. Throughout his time in the Navy, Dwight traveled the world with the exception of going across the Indian Ocean.

After three years, Dwight returned from the War and began his career in construction. He worked for a few men he respected, and just 5 years after, he decided to start his own company. Dwight married Marie and they worked very hard to make their dream of an independent company come to life. Investments and constructions became more important; and the constant rental problems began to not require as much work. As their early years together continued, they began to work on having a family to share their good fortune with for a lifetime. They adopted 2 girls into their life just as their construction company was truly beginning to pay off and make money. The small little family kept on going and eventually growing with grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Together it was a great life; full of trips, happiness, time together to laugh, love, and even cry when necessary. When their children and grandchildren left to go to college and returned, and found jobs; Dwight emphasized that work was always the most important thing that they could do and he was proud of what many have accomplished over the years and how they followed his example.

As an owner of a construction company, Dwight was a leader on the Board of Planning and Zoning disputes. Several letter of thanks were written by Mayor Earl Byrd and other for his services. Dwight was also a lifetime member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.). He found several ways to give back to the community; which he loved so much. He was also a member of the United Methodist Board of Trustees and he was serving God in his fashion through his work.

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dolores Powell; brother, Keith Nelson; sisters-in-law; Mary Nelson, Annie Allersmeyer, Faye Olmstead Allersmeyer, and Essie Allersmeyer; brothers-in-law, Sherman Friedmann and Harry L. Powell; nieces, Gail Marie LeDoux and Donna Marie Nelson Sherman (Richard);

Dwight is survived by two brothers, Lyle and Bobby Nelson; two daughters, Kathryn Nelson Vorndam (Brian) and Susan Nelson Rico (Chris Osuna); grandchildren, Andrew Nicholas Wright (Bonnie and Allison Hendricks), David Dean Rico Jr., Sara Kathryn Mrofka (Aaron); and great-grandchildren, David Rico III, Audrey Lauren Mrofka, and Harper Olivia Mrofka, all from Yuma; sister-in-law, Laverne Allersmeyer Ehlmann (Arlie) of St. Louis, Missouri; cousin, Bernita Keig of Cave Creek, AZ and Norma Rogers of Yuma; many other cousins, nieces and nephews; God-son, Mark Ogram of Tucson, AZ; and close friends, especially Joy Sexton, Karon Keeler (John) and Polly Bowers of Prescott, AZ, Ginger Marks Martin (Jim), Peggy Ogram and Marilyn Matheus of Yuma, AZ. Caregivers: Celia Lastra, Elvira Toralba, Rocio Marchant, and Darlene Sanchez.

Church services begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, 298 W 3rd Street, Yuma followed with Graveside Military Honors and Elks lifetime service at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1415 S 1st Avenue. Reception to follow at Julianna's Café special area, 1951 W 25th St., Yuma. After reception, friends and family to gather at the Nelson family home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Yuma, AWC Foundation, or First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.