C. Tom Nelson

1941 - 2022

C. Tom Nelson
March 19, 1941 - October 11, 2022
Auburn, California - Born on March 19, 1941 in Gering, Nebraska, Chester Thomas Nelson was named after his father but was known to his family and friends as Tom. He was the youngest of Chester (Chet) and Helen Nelson's four children; two sisters Dorothy and Doris, and brother Larry.
Tom was just 16 when his father passed away. His older siblings had already married and moved - Dorothy and Doris had moved to Portland, Oregon, while Larry lived in Sacramento, California. Tom's mother decided to head west to be closer to family and moved the two of them to Portland. Tom graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1959. He served in the Army National Guard receiving an honorable discharge in 1963. In 1964 he received his B.S. degree at Portland State College. He became an accountant, getting his CPA credential in 1967 and enjoyed this career for more than 55 years.
He met his first wife, Susan Pinado (nee Arnold), while attending college, and they had two daughters, Lisa and Kristin. The family moved to the California East Bay for Tom's job at Wolf and Company accounting firm where he eventually became a partner.
He and Susan later divorced, and Tom would marry Elizabeth "Dede" Magoon. They welcomed their son, Patrick, in 1980. The couple moved to Fresno where Tom opened his own accounting firm, C. Tom Nelson & Associates, in the historic Romaine Building in downtown Fresno.
In 1991 after his second divorce, Tom married Marge Lehman. He found his faith and love of the Lord, and he and Marge were active in their church, St. Paul Catholic Newman Center, serving as eucharistic ministers in their parish as well as at Kaiser Hospital. They would remain married until Marge's death in 2014. After her death, he made a Pilgrimage to Israel where he toured the Holy Land following the life of Jesus Christ.
Tom's children remember their dad's love of the outdoors with family trips camping, boating and water skiing and whitewater river rafting. Tom enjoyed running and bicycling and participated in many races around the state.
Tom was always fascinated with World War II. In 2014 he had the honor of being a Guardian of a World War II Veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. There, the Veterans toured the many monuments and memorials attributed to them for their service in this great war.
Tom was also very interested in trains. He was part of a Volunteer Restoration Team with the Central Sierra Historical Society and helped restore an old train caboose during the years 2007 - 2011. He enjoyed the work they did and took pride in restoring this beautiful Caboose #50 from the San Juaquin and Eastern Railroad.
For the past eight years and until the end of his life, Tom found love and companionship with Dorel Harms. He moved to Auburn, CA to be closer to her home in Sacramento, and together the couple would enjoy many great adventures; exploring Russia, Canada, Europe, cruising and traveling to Hawaii with friends.
On Father's Day 2022, Tom's children, Lisa, son-in-law Sam, Kristin, Patrick, and daughter-in-law Marta, and grandchildren Maddie, Colin, Ryan, Graham, Marcus, and Orin gathered for what would be their last time together as a family. They are grateful to have the precious memories of this visit.
The family will honor Tom with a celebration of his life in January 2023 with family and close friends in Sacramento, CA. For those who wish to make a contribution in Tom's honor, please do so at St. John's Program for Real Change in Sacramento.