Kevin Leon Nelson passed away at his home in Sedro-Woolley, WA with his family at his side on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at the age of 73 years. He was born June 4, 1930 at his home in Seattle, WA to John Nels and Marie Gertrude Sherman Nelson. Kevin grew up in Seattle and attended O’Dea and Garfield High Schools. He was drafted into the US Army in May of 1951 and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in May of 1953. Kevin returned to Seattle and went to work for the Sterling Theaters where he met his first wife Beverly J. Southworth where they both worked for the theaters. They were later married in October of 1954 and divorced in 1977. Kevin then worked for the Buffalo Boot Co until moving to Portland, OR where he worked for the Postal Service until moving to Sedro-Woolley. He worked for Skagit Corporation for a couple of years until 1970 when he began working for the Sedro-Woolley School District as a school bus driver where he met his second wife Barbara True. They were married on July 31, 1982 in Sedro-Woolley and they continued driving bus together until his retirement in 1992. Kevin was a much loved and respected driver as you could find out by talking to anyone who ever rode his bus. After retirement, he drove bus as a substitute and spent many hours doing woodcrafts at home and improving their home and property. He also spent time doing daycare for his grandchildren. Kevin was a former member of the American Legion and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He was raised a devout Catholic and was baptized and confirmed at Immaculate Conception Church in Seattle.
Kevin was a devoted and much loved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who is survived by his loving wife of 22 years Barbara Nelson of the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His children Joseph A. and his wife Bonnie Nelson of Lyman, Julie L. and her husband Eric Shelby of Lyman, Paul S. Nelson of Grants Pass, OR, Wendi True of Greenwich, CT, Jill and her husband Dan Townsend of Sedro-Woolley, and Michael and his wife Mary True of Sedro-Woolley. Grandchildren Brandi Rigby, Brittany Nelson, Ashley Nelson, Heather Nelson, Dustin Shelby, Chandler Nelson, Nathan, Zakary, Mikayla, and Brandon Townsend, Richard Baker, and Jordan True. Great Grandchildren Wyatt Moore & Anna Nelson. His sister Patricia Green of Seattle and a brother Richard and his wife Jerry Nelson of Edmonds. His former wife Beverly Nelson and many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Phillip, a son Kevin Jr, and a brother in law Jerome Green.
Visitation will be Friday, April 9th from 10AM to 5PM and Saturday, April 10th from 9AM to Noon at Lemley Chapel. Graveside Services will be Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 1:00PM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor John Batts of the First Baptist Church of Clear Lake officiating. A reception will follow the services at the Samish Grange. Memorials are suggested to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Seattle, WA. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Kevin by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com.
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