Richard Henry Nelson Jr.

Richard was born to Richard H. Nelson Sr. and Deborah C. Masters Nelson on May 23rd, 1953 in Fresno, CA. He started his Golf Career at 3 years old, under his Father’s and Mother’s supervision and membership at Fort Washington Country Club.

Richard attended Manchester Elementary School, Fort Miller Middle School and graduated from McLane High School in 1971. He went on to Fresno City College where he joined the Golf Team. After two years at Fresno City, Richard transferred to CSUF to study for a business degree. There he joined Theta Kai Fraternity while working at Fort Washington Country Club in the Pro Shop under the Fort’s Pro Bob Silva. After receiving his Business Degree and being the assistant Pro, He taught Golf lessons to the Fort Members and their children. Richard then turned pro after joining the Northern CA Golf Association PGA. In 1981 he met Selma Kennedy and they were married in 1982.

Richard left his job at Fort Washington CC to open his own business, “Richard’s Golf Specialties” in Fresno on Ashlan and Blackstone Ave. He sold Golf Equipment and did Golf Club repair. Until he went on the road as a sales rep for the west coast. His territory from the Canadian Border to the Mexican Border, serving California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. He sold Divots soft goods and hard goods for 20 years. During these years, in 1987 his son Ryan H. Nelson was born and traveled with Richard until he had to start school at 5 years old.

After 20 years on the road Richard was hired by Dennis Makasian to sell Golf Goods at Total Golf in Fresno. Richard took a leave of absence to work at Air Ways Golf Course for 2 years and then returned to his manager position at Total Golf until the store closed. After the closure of Total Golf, Richard studied and passed the Real Estate Test and received his Real Estate License. He went to work for Bill Adanalian and Greg Vasquez at Century 21 Real Estate, now Adanalian and Vasquez Real Estate.

In Richard’s spare time, he and his family traveled to Alaska, Canada, The East Coast, and Cabo San Lucas, playing golf as he traveled. Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey and Quivira Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas were his favorite clubs out of town to play.

Richard passed away at Community Regional Medical Center on Saturday October 29, 2022. He leaves behind his wife Selma Kennedy Nelson, his son Ryan Henry Nelson, daughter in law Alyssa L. Nelson and 2 granddaughters, Reagan H. Nelson, and Alice M. Nelson. Cousins Myra Lindgren, David Page, Tony Page, and Caryn Kilgore.

Services for Richard will be at Belmont Memorial Park on November 17th, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lislefuneralhome.com for the Nelson family.