Gerald David "Dave" Nelson

Gerald David "Dave" Nelson passed away on March 18, 2010 at his home in Mackay, Idaho after battling cancer for six years. Dave was born July 3, 1941 in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada to Mariam Kilpatrick and Gerald Dixon Nelson. He attended schools in Black Pines and Kamloops, B.C. His early years were spent logging and ranching in the Kamloops area with his father. On July 9, 1960, he married Heather Grant in Kamloops. It was here that they made their home and started raising their three children. Dave worked as the manager for a cattle and sheep ranch. In 1965 he moved his family to California and later became a U.S. citizen in 1986. He and his father co-managed San Felipe Ranch which was owned by Dave Packard and Bill Hewlett, founders of Hewlett-Packard. In 1973 Dave moved to Idaho to manage ranches purchased by Packard and Hewlett in Idaho and Montana. He retired in 1998 after working for San Felipe Ranch for 33 years. Dave continued his ranching tradition, managing Nelson Ranches from 1990 until his death. Passionate about the ranching, Dave held many positions on County, State, and National Cattle Associations as well as on other committees and organizations. Dave served as President of the Idaho Cattle Association in 2002 and President of the national Public Lands Council in 2006. Dave had a great love of agriculture, investing much time and energy as a steward for the industry. His endless devotion to family will be a lasting legacy of compassion and integrity for countless generations. His no-nonsense, common sense approach to life has provided a priceless example to his family and a foundation for their own success. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, boating snowmobiling, family events and traveling. Dave was a member of the Idaho Cattle Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Public Lands Council, Idaho Fish & Game Advisory Committee, Custer County Fair Board, Mackay Lions Club, and Society for Range Management. Dave was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1999. He is survived by his wife, Heather; children, Holly (Bill) Seefried and Randy (Shauna) Nelson both of Mackay; daughter in law Barbara (Mark) Needs of Sand Hollow, Idaho; siblings Sheila Murray of Vernon, B.C., Bonnie (Bill) Costello of Boise, Idaho; and Chris (Barbara) Nelson of Le Grand, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and almost nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Gerald David "Gerry", his parents and one sister Marilyn Wright. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Mackay High School with VerNon Roche officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Mt. McCaleb Cemetary in Mackay. The family will meet with friends and family at a celebratory luncheon following the graveside service at the Mackay High School. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lost River Funeral Home, 345 Sunset Dr. Arco, Idaho. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Nelson Memorial Scholarship, c/o Ireland Bank, PO Box 600, Mackay, Idaho 83251.