Baker City, Oregon
John Paul Nelson, 77, of Baker City, died Jan. 17, 2007, at his home.
His graveside funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the Baker City Golf Course.
John was born on June 23, 1929, at La Crosse, Wis., to Elmer N. Nelson and Molly M. Hodge. John grew up at La Crosse and attended school there. He received his bachelor of science degree in forestry from Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa.
John served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1960. He married Sara Liddell and they had four sons together. They moved to Baker City in 1975 and were divorced a short time later.
John made his career as a lumber salesman. He was the sales manager for Ellingson Lumber Co. He retired when the mill closed.
Before his illness, John truly loved to play golf. He also looked forward to the bridge games he played with many of his friends. He enjoyed football and was a huge Oakland Raiders fan. As his illness progressed, John’s biggest enjoyment was visits from his sons and grandchildren.
John will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him, his family said.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Andrew and Toni of the Tri-Cities, David and Sally of Burns, Peter and Kim of Baker City and Matthew of Baker City.; grandchildren, Richard, Aspen, Arianna and Gavin of Burns, and Lindsey, Taylor, Brady and Landon of Baker City.
He was preceded in death by his father; his mother; and his grandson, Joshua.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 22, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor