Gordon Nelson passed away Sunday, July 6, at dusk.
Gordon Nelson passed away Sunday, July 6, at dusk. He was born in Richmond on Jan. 10, 1922, and served in the Navy in World War II. He married Better Anne and retired from Varian Associates after 32 years in 1985. He has lived here in Gilroy since 1999 with his wife of 51 years until her death.
He was at home with family and friends under Kaiser Permanente’s Hospice Care Program. He had COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) for about the past 10 years. His lungs began to exhale carbon dioxide, less and less efficiently, which meant he could only have a small amount of extra oxygen. Over the years, the decreasing oxygen gradually affected his thinking ability and weakened his muscles. His last days were not painful, and he was often unaware that he might not be quite healthy. He never complained. The Hospice program was “wonderfully” supportive, and he was comfortable.
The Gilroy Senior Center has been his community in the last years. He looked forward to going to bridge. Family members are grateful to the community for filling his need to belong when in the end he “rested” during the bridge game.
Mr. Nelson is survived by his daughter, Christine Amber of Gilroy; Brian Deutscher, his son-in-law; Jeffry Mathis and Desiré Martinez, his bridge playing partners; his son Jeffry Nelson and wife Roxanne and his two grandchildren, Dustin and Trevor Nelson; and his son Edward Nelson and wife Renee and his newest granddaughter, Bridgette Sherrie Nelson.
For anyone who would like to give to the family, please give a donation to the Gilroy Senior Center in Mr. Nelson’s name.
Graveside Military Services were held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gilroy.
Arrangements under direction of Habing Family Funeral Home.
