Donald M. Nelson, Sr.

In loving memory of Donald M. Nelson, Sr., who passed away with family by his side on February 18, 2022, in Seattle, WA, after a long battle with lung disease. He is survived by his children, Donald Nelson, Jr. (Jeannine) of Fair Oaks, Dana Nelson-Strange (James) of Seattle, WA, and Melanee Nelson of Lynnwood, WA; grandchildren, Alder and Kale Strange; and niece, Cathy Beckstead, and nephew, Chalmers "Eph" West. He was predeceased by his parents, Leroy and Harriet Nelson, and sister, Colleen West.

Donald was born on October 28, 1938, and grew up in Sacramento, CA, graduating from McClatchy High School in 1956. His early career ventures included serving as an instructor for the California Air National Guard, working at Aerojet, and producing light shows with the "Edison Light Company," including for the Grateful Dead. In 1974, he began working at Lowry and Associates (later Krazan), a Sacramento-based geotechnical engineering company; he continued working as a soils inspector there until his retirement in 2005. After retiring, he played piano at coffee shops, restaurants, and farmers' markets to raise money for charities, including the Sacramento SPCA, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment), and the Sacramento Children's Home.

Donald was highly involved in his community. In 1979, he began advocating for energy efficiency, including co-founding the Alternative Busing Corporation (ABC), a parent-funded, non-profit program to provide school bus transportation to students in the San Juan Unified School District. He was also known as the "Commuter Saluter" in Sacramento in the early 2000's; in the wake of 9/11, he stood on overpasses for hundreds of hours, wearing a three-cornered hat, flying an American flag, and saluting commuters below to encourage unity for the country and support for the troops overseas (whom he deeply cared about).

Most importantly, he will be remembered for spreading joy to hundreds, if not thousands, in his community, whether by playing the piano or slide whistle, talking like Donald Duck to just about everyone, or catching invisible balls with his "magic" bag. We miss you, "Pop" and "Grandpa Duck"!