Charles "Ray" Nelson

Charles Raymond “Ray” Nelson, 79 of Greeley, died on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the North Colorado Medical Center. He was born on August 21, 1928 to Elmer John and Agnes Theodore (Billstone) Nelson in his grandmother’s home in Englewood, Colorado. Ray graduated from Englewood High School in 1945 and later he joined the Navy Reserve in 1947. In 1949 he was called to active military duty with the U.S. Army. He served as Supply Sergeant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was transferred to Hanau, Germany where he served as 2nd Lieutenant serving with CID. Mr. Nelson married Shirley Anne Brooks on November 6, 1948 in Denver, Colorado. She preceded him in death in January of 1976. He later married Judith Elaine Kriz on November 27, 1976. They moved to Greeley in 1982. He entered into the insurance business following his military service as manager of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico for the Mountain States Compensation Rating Bureau and was later promoted to Chief Inspector. In 1954 he moved into general agency traveling Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. He later had his own local insurance agency in Denver and served as branch manager for Appleton Cox, Illinois and Lloyd’s of London. After moving to Greeley in 1982 he worked as an agent for D.C. Royer Insurance Agency which became Millers Mutual and later became T. Charles Wilson Agency. He enjoyed his family, golf, traveling, fishing and music. He played in the Englewood High School dance band from 1944 – 1945. Ray served as chairman of many committees and service clubs, he served as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and an Assistant Boy Scout Troop Leader and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Survivors include his wife, Judith Nelson of Greeley; 2 sons, Dr. Michael Nelson and his wife Dr. Shelley Stanton both of Rochester, Minnesota and Bradley Nelson of Fargo, North Dakota; a grandson, Jackson Nelson of Fargo, North Dakota; a sister, Dorothy Thiessen of Englewood, Colorado and a brother, Eldon Nelson of Englewood, Colorado. A memorial service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts may be made in Ray’s name to Shaklee Cares or the donor’s choice in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.

Tributes

Charles "Ray" Nelson

August 21, 1928 - April 15, 2008