One's path in life is sometimes completely unknown. It took a hurricane for our paths to cross. Little did I know that would lead to a very unusual friendship. I will always remember all the countless visits we had out on your deck talking about anything and everything. Your drive by visits to my driveway with your signature "1 honk". You loved the skies and now you are free. Don't worry about Rosie, she's in great hands and will live happy. I always enjoyed the company and thanks for all the home made burgers, with onions.

George

We are all connected and love is eternal and universal and infinite, just like God's love for us. I came to know that and feel that the day I received an unexpected visitor at my front door...an officer in uniform asked me if I knew my neighbor, Jenny and where he could find her to talk to her in person about her dad. I felt as if I was one of the first to learn of your dear dad passing and my heart wept for you and my perspective changed that day... Suddenly the things I thought to be important weren't so much anymore. I knew in a matter of moments, Jenny would learn what I just had and I said a prayer for you, Jenny in that moment...that you would feel held and loved. I did not know your dad and never had the chance to meet him, but in the past several days through the beautiful memories the Nelson siblings have written and the beautiful mass we celebrated today of your dad's life, I feel like I have come to know him and the incredible and amazing life he lived and legacy of life and love he gave you and that you will always carry with you. He knew how to live life to the fullest and celebrate every day and take a family holiday! I would love to carry on that idea with my own family and when we do, it will definitely be in your dad's loving memory :) I wish I had had the opportunity to meet him and know him and feeling his spirit, I know he probably would have greeted me with a big hug and a smile and we would have laughed and maybe even fixed a few things around my house :) So many of you wrote here in this guestbook how your dad could fix just about anything :) I can feel his love and like the priest said today during mass, he had an incredible ability to love and share his love. What an amazing dad and how blessed you all are to have your precious memories to remember. My heart feels so much sadness with you of the pain of your indescribable loss. I am so sorry. I know you miss him so much. In the quiet and stillness, he is there and there is peace and where love resides...love never ends. With Love and Hugs, Melissa

A loving farewell to my dear brother Michael Richard.  May you rest in God's hands knowing your legacy is in your loving children.  Growing up, I remember my "little brother" always searching for something mechanical to either fix or start anew.  I remember the fun games and the teasing.  Mike you are in the hearts and prayers of many people from your past.  We love you and look forward to our meeting again in God's presence.

Mike, I did not have the pleasure of knowing you that long, but the time I spent around you was very enjoyable. You were a man of few words, but I know there was a lot going on in that head of yours. I've learned that you were an extremely intelligent man and quality was a must. I will always remember asking you if you would like a glass of wine and you would always reply by saying no thanks. I would take the liberty of pouring you one anyway and you would sip on it with enjoyment. I always thought that was funny. It was very enjoyable to host you at my house on Fathers Day and feed you a great steak and relaxing dip in the pool. You really enjoyed that!! Your Rosie was your best friend and we will see to it that she has a good home and is well taken care of. May your soul rest in peace Mike and may the sun shine on all you left behind. God Bless.

Hey Mike, I am quite certain that with your ingenuity & genius you have engineered a method by which you can hear us all calling out to you! You were certainly adored by your children, Darlene, Geraldine, Mom & Dad and certainly loved & adored by your brother (this writer). And let's not forget your dogs; they loved you & you loved them back. Our age differential was only four years; our genius level was far surpassed by you Mike! Your mind was as "sharp as a whip". You & I both shared a "need for speed". From cars to boats to motorcycles to airplanes to a host of RC's; we both loved FAST! I never saw a mean bone in your body, you were kind, generous and loving. Unfortunately our educational and career paths took us to opposite ends of the country. We both moved around this fine country but never did we have the opportunity to re-unite to a location of close proximity.  For this reason we lost our best friend but we never lost our love for each other!

There are no further words that can be said. All My Love, Joe

Dad, You were by far my greatest teacher. As with myself and all your children, you have taught us the very essential things to make us grow and lead fulfilling and productive lives. People are always telling me of "how intelligent I am", and that "I can do anything". "where did you learn how to do that". I always say- "My Dad taught me how to do that". I often reminisce back to when I was a kid and spent a lot of time with you Dad. Some of my fondest memories of you were when you would call in sick and say "were going fishing." I would skip school, (You hated us having to go to school, and having homework to do,) and we would fish on the ocean or go up to Tenmile Lakes and spend the whole day out catching fish. It was a joy. I'll never forget those awesome motorcycle rides out on Seven Devils Road as well. I always think about that when I'm out there delivering mail. I also remember the countless days I went to work with you. You literally taught me how to do your job. Every thing from talking on the radio, to taking the weather. I became a pilot myself because you had instilled the passion for flying in me. Every now and then, I still drive past the old house on Vista drive and marvel at what we had done to it over the years. It still looks the same. That redwood sided house and garage that we have molded into perfection, cannot be any more perfect. So to this day it remains the same. The owners seem to be caring well for it. Because of you Dad, my life is here in Oregon. My home in Bandon started out as a "fixer" in dire need, but over the years I am fashioning it to perfection because of all the invaluable things you have taught me. There is nothing I cannot fix. I built my garage. I paint, nail, saw, roof, do electrical, plumbing. I fear nothing because of you. I know tools. you would always say "hand me the 3/8 box wrench Mikey" "Ha! Ha! Ha!" I remember you saying to me once that you will learn more from "doing" then you ever will from school books. "YOU WERE RIGHT". When I spoke with you last, you mention how much you missed the Oregon Coast, and how you wanted to move back here. I wish that it could have happened for you. I'll always remember our times when you and everyone in the family were here. I'll always have respect and love for you Dad. May you forever rest in peace and happiness. Your son, Mike

One of my favorite memories of my dad and his happiness was when I was 8 in North Bend, Oregon. I stood in front of my dad looking forward to the adventure to ensue! He was sitting on his mechanics roller chair tightening the straps to the helmet my head swam in. He started his BMW motorcycle and as it rumbled in the garage, he nodded as to let me know to get on back. I stepped onto the polished chrome foot peg, throwing my leg over the back of the bike as though I were mounting a horse. As I wiggled into a good balanced spot on the seat, the bike lunged forward and I quickly grabbed onto my dad's jacket. We were off!! 
Meandering down the pine tree lined Pacific Coast Hwy, you could feel the freedom of the open road and wind in you face. I could see daddy's smile on his face in the side view mirror. He was a happy. I knew he was happy cause he'd take his hand off the handle and tap my leg as he pointed out the scenic interests. He always loved his motorcycle rides and I'm glad I got to enjoy one of his favorite things in life along side!
His nickname for me was "the baby". I never new why he called me that when I was 3rd eldest of seven but it made me feel special...
Daddy, was a brilliant man. He could build anything from drawn plans to completion expertly. He was an engineer, a mechanic, a pilot, a captain, a motorcycle and car enthusiast, a master craftsman, etc. a man of many hats! 
I'll miss not ever being able to say goodbye. Rest blissfully in the peace and serenity of heaven.

Dad, I was always so very proud of you and looked up to you...you were a great teacher and mentor, I have learned so much from you, and i'am very greatful for that. You were a lover of nature...fresh air, and the mountains, ocean, lakes and streams.. you loved to be by the water, it was your peace and serenity from the world around you, i remember when you used to whistle to music on the radio in the garage back in the days, i would be in the house listening ..sometimes singing or humming to the same tune. You had a passion for animals and your dogs were your pride and joy. I will never forget all the places that we have traveled to...I remember my first time on a horse, when i was little you took me horseback riding. I remember playing in the snow together and the big Christmas's we had in South Elgin. Ill. I have fond memories of those beautiful afternoon motorcycle rides on the BMW going down the back country roads with you, you would tell me to hang on kid and you would gun it and go real fast. I remember catching my first 3 foot Salmon out in the Pacific Ocean..& you helped me reel it in, and crabbing on the docs, boating and swimming on the lake. You were a great swimmer. I remember wood cutting in the deep wooded forest of Eastside, Oregon, we drove up in the one ton dooly truck all the way up the gravel road and down the side of the hill we saw Bigfoot. You always had this drive and determination to get things done, you would stay up late at night in the garage tooling' around with a project until it was completed. You really enjoyed building your model airplanes, you really loved being a pilot and flying airplanes, you enjoyed going target and skeet shooting, then spent time cleaning the guns, you enjoyed a glass of Mogan David from a hard days work. I was always amazed with your talents and how very intelligent you were. You loved the best of everything and had fine taste. I remember helping you build the cedar garage and fence in the backyard, and refurbishing, rebuilding & fiber glassing the Lucky Lady, oh how you loved working on that boat, to getting your hands dirty working on cars. You were always very productive and an extraordinary precise builder, your motto was: "measure twice cut once" you were very meticulous & accurate, everything you ever made was built with precision, accuracy and perfection in everything you ever made. Building & constructing was like a fine art to you, and was always done with creativity and passion, you would always say: "Do it right the first time". All the times i went with you on the midnight shift at work, staying up all night drinking coke and coffee out of your thermos, playing cards, ordering pizza, talking, laughing, taking short naps on several chairs we lined up or slept up on the break table, staying up while you worked until sunrise. You were serious when you needed to be. I will never forget your distinct laugh & jokes, you were quite a character. The things you used to say and do, I find myself on a daily basis doing certain things or saying things that you would do, or things that reminded me of you. I will cherish all the memories, you will always be in my mind and in my heart. I will never forget you Dad, my only regret is that i never got to say good bye, i wished i could have been there for you in your time of need. I always thought of you, you were never far from my mind, you may be gone but not forgotten. You will remain in my heart forever. Sorry I never told you, all I wanted to say. RIP Daddy. I love you <3

I remember when I was a little girl, you and I talking, listening to loud music, and watching movies until I fell asleep on the floor in front of the TV, you would carry me up to put me to sleep. 
Somehow I always felt we were kindred spirits, you like to live a little on the wild side like me! You would laugh and crack jokes. I know where my love for fast cars came from! 
You always questioned decisions I made, but somehow I felt you approved because you understood me. 
I'm glad I got to see you this past Thanksgiving, it was a great visit. It was nice to see you laughing! 
I will see you again...


Dad, the countless memories you gave me, along with the hands-on experience and knowledge you invested in me when doing projects around the house together are priceless...from building fences, working on plumbing and electrical work, refinishing furniture, dropping in pools and huge gardens, tearing apart engines in cars, etc. I was your "right hand man"...your "grease monkey"...your "gold"...I did everything with you! I am thankful for all of the hands-on knowledge and experience you gave me, as I now have my own family and have a daily reminder of what you taught me while fixing things around here for my kids. I remember going to work with you, sleeping on the break room table, waking up to the sunrise shining bright. I remember working in the garage with you on school night's until 3am at times, then grabbing a flashlight to do my homework due the next day under a blanket so Jenny wouldn't wake up. I also remember sneaking down into your office when everyone else was asleep, to watch I Love Lucy episodes and M.A.S.H. episodes together getting in a few laughs while you worked at your desk. Then, another memory comes to mind...you'd always want me to drive you in the van or the "green lizard" to True Value or Albertsons to get a few things....Your workmanship was sheer perfection...extraordinary...everything you have done, you have done with the utmost integrity. We never needed to call a repairman. :-) You also ate an orange, sliced and then cut into triangles and your vitamin every single morning with your coffee. Always cared about your daily vitamins! 

You will always be cherished and remembered in my life. Daily, I educate my kids on everything you taught me. You never got the opportunity to meet your beautiful grandsons Dain and Caden...we were planning a trip to come see you next spring, but God needed you sooner than later. You are an extraordinary man and will never be forgotten! I love you...may your spirit rest in peace, dad!

— Jacqueline Nelson, Sacramento, California

Today at the pond I saw a large white Crane sitting in the same spot you left us. He stared at me, spread his wings, and gracefully flew over the water. I felt a sense of peace and at the same time drew warm memories of you and your never forgotten laugh. You took us kids riding in the boat you built, "The Lucky Lady", and you let me drive and turn the big wheel while you pointed out the family of Orca Whales swimming around us. I also remember riding on the back of your Harley in my big white helmet. We went over the huge bridge and you leaned back and whispered "hold on tight". When I was little, my fondest memory was waiting so anxiously for you to come home from work. I was so excited that I'd be at your car door before you could even open it. I can still hear your voice and see your smile when you opened the door to greet me. Lastly, I'll never forget the most recent time I saw you, you clutched my arm, looked into my eyes and told me "my god Jenny, you're beautiful". It was such a sincere, and meaningful moment.  I wish things were different, but know in my heart you're in a better place. Till we meet again daddy, I'll alway be your little "chicken".

From my family to yours. You are in our thoughts and prayers in your time of loss. Our sincere condolences

Prayers for Peace and Comfort to the entire family of a great man.

My thoughts and prayers to all of the family who are going through this difficult time.  May your memories of your loved one give you comfort.  
Connie Preas

I remember the times I'd stop by for dinner, and the times we'd go out to eat in the middle of the night. We'd stay up in your 'desk room' and watch CHiPs and the three stooges. All the times I went to work with you on the midnight shift, cookin' lunch in the break room, getting candy out of the candy machine, watching movies and playing computer games all night long. Staying up all night and leaving work once the sun broke the horizon. More memories than I can possibly list here. Regardless, you will be missed. RIP

May our Heavenly Father welcome this good man into eternal peace and may his children hold him close in heart forever.  Rest in peace Uncle Mike and my Godfather.  Love, Mary Kay & Mike and family

My thoughts and prayers go to my children during the untimely passing of the father. My prayers go to Michael as we were together for 32 yrs. I pray my children have fond memories of their dad and that will bring them peace. God rest your soul Mike - RIP

OBITUARY

Michael Richard Nelson

March 3, 1945 – December 18, 2013

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery

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Michael Richard Nelson

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