Harry Douglas Nelson
July 8, 1938 – January 24, 2015
Harry was born on July 8, 1938, son of Arvid and Kathryn Nelson in Seattle.
A Cleveland High School graduate, he attended the University of Washington and University of Oregon.
?Harry met his future wife and lifelong love, Gail, a Holy Rosary Seattle graduate, and the daughter of Henry and Marge Muyllaert.
They married on September 28, 1957, and raised five children, living in SeaTac;
Eugene, Oregon; Browns Point; and West Seattle. Harry worked for Borden Chemical, Boeing, Montgomery Ward, Levitz Furniture, Alpine Fence, Boeing again, and finally, “Call Harry”, his baptism into private business as a lawn and field specialist.
They retired to Sequim where they built the beautiful 5 acre “Nelson’s Duckpond and Lavender Farm.” Harry was a pioneer in the Sequim lavender growing business. Their farm created a legacy that people from all over the world enjoy, and come back year after year to see what Harry and Gail created.
They eventually moved to the Sunland Golf and Country Club in Sequim.
Harry was a man of many interests. He was an avid reader. He loved to fish and occasionally hunted. His kids will tell you he was the original “blue-tarp camper.”
He owned many boats in his lifetime. He once built, drove, crashed and sank a hydroplane.
Harry was a terrific skier who taught ski school and maintained those skills late into life.
He would tell you he was a good golfer, but rarely was able to demonstrate it.
He and Gail were original Seahawks season ticket holders, so we’re sure dad will be shouting “Go Hawks!” from Heaven on Sunday. Gail occasionally referred to him as “twinkle-toes” due to his love of dancing.
He was a kind man who loved to laugh and always had a smile on his face, a trait he thankfully passed down to his children and grandchildren.
Harry was a fantastic husband, father and grand- father.
He is survived and beloved by his family: sister Margaret (Cal) Ferguson; brother Paul; wife Gail; children Gretchen (Rick) Reynolds, Chris (Linda) Nelson, Randy (Andrea) Nelson, Jennifer Nelson and Amy (Jeff) Lundstrom; grandchildren Erik, Tyler, Thomas, Ryan, Olivia, and Tilly.
Services will be held at noon on Monday, February 16 at Saint Joseph’s Parish, 121 E. Maple St, Sequim, with a celebration of Harry’s life following at 1:00 P.M at Sunland Golf and Country Club,109 Hilltop Dr., Sequim.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz. org.
