Person:Raymond Nelson (5)

About Raymond Nelson

Raymond Nelson was the son of William and Carrie (Rassmussen) Nelson. His first job was working a paper route at age 12. He was a Boy Scout, his first car was a 1931 Model A Ford, which he owned from age 15-17. He served in the United States Army in Korea, and received his degree (most likely in Accounting) from UCLA. He met his wife, Virginia (Lee) in 1983.

Ray was a Controller for a major oil company in Long Beach and later entered private practice, specializing as a very successful Tax Accountant, first opening an office in Long Beach, California, then in Anaheim, California, where he practiced until his death in 2009.

Raymond was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002/3, was given 2 years to live, but with treatment assistance from the City of Hope, he lived for another 6 1/2 years. He was active in the Mary Linn Foundation, where he donated much of his time and resources. Raymond was a sports enthusiast who loved watching the Rams (when they played in Anaheim), the Angels and the Anaheim Ducks.

Obituary

From "The Fullerton Observer", Mid-November 2009:

Raymond William Nelson, 79, of Anaheim, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Nov. 2 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. Ray was born in Los Angeles, California on Nov. 17, 1929 and was a lifelong California resident. He was a devoted sports fan and enjoyed traveling the world. Ray proudly served with the US Army in Korea. For many years, until the time of his death, Ray served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Lind Recovery Centers and supported many diverse institutions and causes. He was an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Fullerton. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, William and Carrie (nee Rassmussen) Nelson, and his infant daughter Kristen Marjorie Carrie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Lee (nee Wood) Nelson, and his brother Wesley (Leila) Nelson. He will be deeply missed by all of his children; Jeanne (nee Nelson); Deborah Medbury; Matthew (Patti) Nelson; Ronald Sterling; Meredith (David) Herd; and, Timothy (Sheree) Nelson.

Those who knew Ray know that he was an extraordinarily hard worker and a very humble man. The one place in his life where he found no trouble bragging was about his cherished grandchildren. His legacy lives on through Megan Christine, Chelsea Rae, Travis William, Haley Anne, Nathan Noby, Sarah Jeanne, and Reann Elena. A memorial service was held at the First Lutheran Church of Fullerton on Nov. 21st, 2009. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mary Lind Recovery Center.