Richard (Dick) Joseph Nelson

Dick Nelson, 61, longtime Moses Lake resident, died at his home with his wife and sister-in-law, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, following a brief fight with cancer.

Dick was born in Spokane Aug. 17, 1947, the eldest child of Richard and JoAnne Cochran Nelson. He lived and grew up in Garfield, Wash., where he graduated from high school and received an Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America.

He moved to Rosalia, Wash., after graduation and worked several jobs, including Feldman Brothers Tires, to attend college at Eastern Washington University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in accounting in 1976. After graduation, he moved to Moses Lake for a job with the U & I Sugar, but went to work for Columbia Basin Machine soon afterward.

He enjoyed boy scouts, horses, cars and flying in his younger years, and even owned a plane for several years. In Moses Lake, he found the love of boating and racing at the demo derby. He loved riding his Goldwing and camping out in the woods.

He leaves behind his best friend and wife Joanne (Joey) Edward Nelson, his sons, James (Joe) Joseph Nelson of Moses Lake, David (Matt) Mathew Nelson of Moses Lake, step-daughter Katrina Brewer of Bath, N.Y., his parents Richard and JoAnne Cochran Nelson of Garfield, Wash., twin brother Dwain (Jane) Nelson of Tucson, Ariz., sister Susan (Rob) Brooks of Helena, Mont., sister-in-law Sandy (Corwin) Edwards Wagner of Wenatchee, Wash., his grandson Jeffrey Nelson and other nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his younger brother Gene Nelson and all his grandparents. He will be greatly missed by all.

An informal celebration of life will be held at Memories R Forever, 424 S. Burress Ave., Moses Lake, at 1 p.m. Saturday.