August Donald Nelson

Obituary August Donald "Don" Nelson peacefully passed away on December 4, 2011 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. He was 76. Don was born November 22, 1935 in Troy, ID to Johanna (Dwyer) Nelson and Arthur Nelson; he was the third of five children. On Don's 7th birthday, the family relocated to Portland, OR, where he attended St. Andrew's Catholic Elementary School and later graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953. He majored in Political Science at the University of Idaho (Moscow) and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1957. After college, Don served in the Intelligence Service branch of the U.S. Army, where he served in post-war South Korea. After his time in the military, Don joined IBM, which is where he spent his entire career. He married Charlene Baker on August 12, 1961 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tacoma, WA. From that union came their four children and eight grandchildren. Don was a lifelong Catholic and enjoyed having an active role in the Knights of Columbus for many years, especially helping with their pancake breakfasts and salmon bakes. He never passed up a social opportunity and greatly enjoyed following local news events, volunteering in a local soup kitchen, participating on his bowling team, and working on many home-improvement projects. He was also an active member of the local Republican Party. Don is survived by his four children and their spouses: Suzanne & Randy Frisch of San Diego, CA; Andrew & Sandra Nelson of Bahrain; Troy & Staci Nelson of Sammamish, WA; Meredith & Eric Olson of Seattle, WA; and his eight grandchildren: Abigail, Emily, Anna, Robert, Katherine, Ian, Annika, and Conor. Don is also survived by his siblings Marie Carroll, Raymond Nelson, and James Nelson. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Thomas Nelson. A Rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m., followed by Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17th at Loyola Jesuit Center, 3220 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, OR 97206. A site blessing and reception will immediately follow at Wilhelm's Portland Memorial, 3705 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202. Online condolences can be left at www.GaffneyCares.com. Donations may be made in his name to Hospitality Kitchen at 1323 South Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405.