Larry Nelson

Obituary of Larry Wayne Nelson

none LARRY W. NELSON Larry W. Nelson passed away at home on April 6, 2006 after a brave and courageous fight with cancer. Larry had been diagnosed with a melanoma tumor in his right sinus cavity in December of 2004 and had endured surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in hopes of achieving remission. He was a great inspiration to all those who knew him with his attitude, strength, and faith in dealing with his illness. Larry was born September 25, 1946 in Centralia, Washington to Louis H. and Genevieve Nelson. He grew up as an only child on the family farm in Napavine. Larry graduated from Napavine High School in 1964 as Valedictorian of his class. He then attended Centralia College graduating with an A.A. degree in 1966. In 1968 he graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in Ed. In 1973 he earned a Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel Admin./Higher Educ. also from Western Washington Univ. Larry’s entire career had been spent in Higher Education working as a College administrator and researcher. He worked at Centralia College, Pierce College, Western Washington Univ., Pacific Lutheran University and before his illness had worked as a Research Associate for Washington State University at the Olympia office of their Social Economic Sciences Research Center. Larry was nationally known for his work as the editor of The Electronic AIR (Institutional Research e-mail newsletter with 2800+ subscribers). In 1999 he received an AIR outstanding service award at the National AIR Conference. Larry had many unique interests and hobbies. His natural love for learning lead him to read huge numbers of non-fiction books. He enjoyed reading about World War II and loved to watch the History Channel. His favorite vacations were spent traveling in the American Southland and visiting historical places. He had a huge collection of blues music and often told people that he only listened to the music of dead artists. Larry Nelson was a huge Elvis fan and had been known to host “Elvis Birthday Parties” when he worked at P.L.U. Larry was a natural and gifted speaker and was always the person to write and deliver memorable eulogies for family members. He was proud of the fact that he was always a Macintosh computer owner when most of the world used PC’s. Larry was an active member, elder and leader at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Olympia. He was a member and leader of two professional organizations, AIR (Assoc. of Institutional Researchers) and PNAIRP (Pacific Northwest Assoc. for Institution Research and Planning). He was also a proud member of the Regal Crown Cinema Club. Larry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Nancy of Olympia, his daughter (and proudest accomplishment) Stacy Belcher, his son-in-law Dan Belcher whom he considered his son, and his only grandchild and light of his life Jackson Belcher, all of Yelm. His aunt and uncle, Amy and Harold Gustafson of Chehalis, and his life-long best friend, Jim Thomas and his wife Jerri, also survive him. His parents, Hum and Gypsy, preceded him in death. Remembrances may be made in Larry’s memory to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Contributions J5-200, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, or to the First Christian Church Foundation, P.O. 2850, Olympia, WA 98507-2850. A Memorial service will be held on April 22 at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church in Olympia, 701 Franklin St. SE, Olympia. Arrangements are under the direction of Funeral Alternatives of Washington Private interment was held at the Napavine Cemetery.
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Service

Private Family Graveside

Interment

Napavine Cemetery
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