Obituary: Nelson, Edward Richard
Age 96
He was born September 17, 1916 in Cle Elum, WA to Minnette Elsie Hyde Nelson and Lawrence Richard Nelson.
He graduated from Centralia High School and attended one year of Bible School.
He had Lay Minister’s credentials in the Free Methodist Church.
He began playing the trumpet in grade school, continuing on until way past his 90th year of life.
Ed played in a dance band for several years after graduating from high school.
After giving his life to Christ, he began playing music in service to God.
He directed orchestras and was the featured musician and vocalist in evangelistic crusades, church services and special meetings.
Music was not only an integral part of his life but of his marriage.
Ed married Lois Geraldine Lester on February 25, 1949 in Tacoma, WA.
He was directing the orchestra for Youth for Christ and she played the violin.
They were married 62 years and spent all but the last year of their life together in music ministry.
They were the music directors in several churches over those years.
Dad sang at Lifeway Chapel in Post Falls, ID, up until just a few short weeks before his passing.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his mother, Minnette; his father, Lawrence; and his older sister, Helen.
He is survived by his younger sister, Alyce Barrick of Olympia, WA; daughter, Barbara Bowman of Olympia, WA; son Mark (Linda) Nelson of Spokane; and daughters Marla Nelson of Spokane Valley, WA, Heidi (Steve) Rasmussen of Cheney, WA and Jill (Jim) Wallace of Chewelah, WA.
He has 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
He was faithful in prayer for each one daily.
A time of music and remembrance will be held Saturday, November 24, 2012 at First Assembly of God, 828 W. Indiana in Spokane, WA at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Horizon Hospice, 123 W. Cascade Way, Suite E, Spokane, WA 99208.
COMMUNITY CREMATION SERVICE SPOKANE VALLEY 13127 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99216