Jon Charles Nelson
July 19, 1945 - March 3, 2006
Obituary
Jon Charles Nelson
July 19, 1945 to March 3, 2006
One of the original ”Baby Boomers”, Jon was born at Seattle’s Swedish Hospital, to Ruth and Chuck Nelson. The family lived in south Seattle until 1949, when they bought a house in the ”country” near Burien. At least, it was country then. One of Jon’s favorite friends pastured her horse on the property next door. Jon was in the first class of the new Gregory Heights Elementary School in the early ’50s. He attended Sylvester Junior High, and graduated from Highline High School in 1963. During his school years he formed a lot of friendships, most of which were from his activities at Seattle First Methodist Church. He was very active in MYF Methodist Youth Fellowship, and went to literally hundreds of activities during his school years, including a trip all around the U.S. with members of that group. Jon maintained contact with many of those people over the past 40+ years.
After high school, Jon spent a couple of years at Highline Community College. Never an enthusiast of studying, but always a hard worker, he always had a job, from junior high paper routes on. In high school he started working after school at the Highline Tin Shop, then moved over to C&C Paint for several years. He left college to go work for Boeing.
In 1969, when the U.S. Army came calling, he slipped out the back door and headed down to the local Coast Guard Recruiter, and managed to sign up. We once joked that he must have told them that ”dad was a congressman” to get in the Coast Guard, instead of ending up in the in the Army. The next four years were spent at Cape Disappointment Lifeboat Station in Illwaco; on the Modoc ”rockin’ and rollin’” off the coast of Oregon; and finally a year at the Loran Station on Attu Island in the North Pacific, a few miles from Siberia.
Following his discharge, Jon went back to work for C&C Paint, managing stores in Burien, Ballard, North Seattle, and Anchorage. After C&C sold out, Jon remained in the paint business with Parker Paint, but finally gave it up because of back problems from lifting the heavy paint buckets. The last few years before he was disabled by diabetes, he drove bus for Gray Line, and Cabulance, and was a driving instructor.
The last 10 years, Jon lived on the top of a hill in Graham, WA, where he enjoyed an incredible view of Mt Rainier. He didn’t seem to mind his long drives to work, and enjoyed living in a small mobil home in a very nice RV park. Most of his neighbors were full time RV’ers, and he enjoyed meeting people of all kinds from all over the country.
Jon’s hobby was keeping up with his many friends. He loved trading jokes, and humorous items with folks all over the country via email. If success in life can be measured by the number of people who care about you, he died a very wealthy man.
Funeral Service, 1:00PM, Saturday March 11, 2006 at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel 900 SW 146th Street Burien, WA 98166
Graveside service with military honors, 1:30PM, Monday, March 13, 2006 Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA 98042
Jon was a good friend for 15 years, and most recently was a member of our “Pot Blessing” group. We enjoyed a pot-luck supper in various friends’ homes. He suffered much from the effects of diabetes, but was ready with pointers and caring concern for my sister who also has the disease. I wlll look forward to seeing him in that beautiful paradise we call heaven. May God bless your whole family in your time of grief, and offer comfort to the many who called him friend.
As the little neighbor kid, I never had the pleasue of getting to know Jon as well as
my older brothers and sisters did. However, Jon had always been very kind to me, as his brother Alan and parents were, taking time out to visit with me when he was home from his adventures. Though in later years I didn’t see Jon very often, my brothers Steve and Mike fortunately did, keeping me up to date. When I did see Jon, he remained the same caring person I was always fond of right along with his great sense of humor! Jon will always have a place in my heart and look forward to seeing him again at our home on that other shore!
May God Bless and comfort your whole family and many friends in this time of sadness.
Jon was a good friend who I met at Northwest Church in Federal Way. Jon is now home with Jesus, where he belongs, and is no longer in pain. I’m looking forward to seeing Jon again in Glory and I’m look forward to sit with him, once again, and talk about life – as we often did. Praise God for the life of Jon Nelson.
We were privileged to know Jon for close to 25 years. We valued our relationship with him as a friend and a brother in Christ. We enjoyed our good conversations with Jon, his friendly personality, and his wonderful sense of humor. We send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Jon’s family at this difficult time.
Jon will be missed very much. Always with a happy word or joke. Our prayers go out to all the family and friends. We Love You Jon
I miss you Jon, Love Lee. Fondest memories.
I remember well those MYF days as well as the F & F family gatherings. Jon’s good humor and enthusiasm for life were ever present. My thoughts and prayers are with Ruth and Alan. Jon will be missed.
Every few years our paths would cross and we would have a chat about Gregory Hts.and Highline days.He was a great guy.One time we even saw each other at a Drive-In Theater,in Bellingham.I will miss seeing him.Sorry for your loss. Sharon
I was sorry to hear of Jon’s passing. I have just been to Seattle and spent time with Steve and Lorrie Grouse who were friends and alerted me to Jon’s hospitisation. My thoughts are with Alan and the rest of the family.
Best regards – Karl Nolte