Martin Mortuary
Richard Knowles Nelson, better known as Dick Nelson, was born to Clare and Doris Knowles
Nelson on October 20, 1939 in Ames, Iowa.
He spent the first 5 years of his life in Ames then the family relocated to Salem, Oregon where
he attended Elementary and Junior High Schools. Looking for somewhere with a drier climate,
the family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in June of 1952.
Dick completed Junior High then attended and graduated from Central High School in 1957. He
worked for Intermountain Printing and Stationery Company and Central Chevrolet until his
enlistment into the United States Coast Guard in 1962.
His basic training was at Government Island Coast Guard Base in Alameda, California followed
by four years at the Coast Guard Regional Office in downtown San Francisco. Upon his
discharge in 1966, he continued to work for the Coast Guard Regional Office as a civilian for the
next several years.
Dick worked as a teller for Crocker-Citizens National Bank in San Francisco then took a job with
the University of California as head cashier in the UCSF Medical Center.
He enjoyed collecting vintage glassware and pottery and, after his retirement, Dick co-owned
and operated an antique and collectibles shop in San Francisco. He also owned and managed an
apartment building in the City for 20+ years before relocating to Tujunga, California in Los
Angeles County. He lived there until October of 2019 when deteriorating health made a return
to Grand Junction necessary.
Dick went to be with his Lord Jesus on January 14th after a short stay at HopeWest Hospice. He
is survived by his sister, Neva Banks, his nephew, Brent (Candy) Banks, his niece, Camille
Banks and his great niece, Kayla McCracken, all of Grand Junction.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Martin with committal services at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado at 3:00 PM.
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
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