Don David Nelson, age 76, of Grand Rapids, formerly of the Lansing and Newaygo areas, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, after suffering a stroke two days prior. Don was born on July 24, 1944 in Fremont, MI, the son of Donald Oliver & Helen Lucille (Burke) Nelson.
Don graduated from Newaygo High School and earned a Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1968, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant-Junior Grade (LTJG). Prior to serving in the Vietnam War, he served as Communication Officer aboard the USS Observation Island and assisted in critical testing operations resulting in the first successful at-sea firing of the POSEIDON Fleet Ballistic Missile. Don served with the Naval Advisory Group in Saigon and was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1971, he returned to Michigan and earned a Master's degree in Fisheries Biology from Michigan State University. He started his career as a Fisheries Biologist with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1975. He worked as a Field Biologist in the Jackson, Cadillac, and Imlay City Districts and served in the Lansing Division Office as the Commercial Fisheries Specialist. At the end of his 25 years with DNR, he was serving as a staff specialist involved with Native American treaty fishing rights.
During his time with the DNR, he met Dee Nelson, who became his wife in 1993. During their 27 years of marriage they made several camping trips out west, including driving the Alaskan Highway and driving as far east as the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. For the past 16 years they have enjoyed spending winters on Anna Maria Island in Florida.
Don enjoyed several canoeing trips in Canada, fishing with his grandsons, gardening, and completing numerous home improvement projects. He enjoyed being "the guy" that his daughters and friends would call for help - always willing to "work for beer". He became an avid home-brewer after his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Helen, and sisters, Janet Pozel and Mary Humphreys.
Don is survived by his wife, Dee; two daughters, Michelle (Allen) Goembel of Georgia, and Sandra Nelson of Georgia; two step-daughters, Nicole (Kyle) Purdy of Kentucky, and Kimberly Karle of Virginia; seven grandchildren: Evan, Cole, Ryan and Luke Goembel, Megan and Hannah Purdy, and Oliver Karle; several nieces and nephews, and lifelong best friends, Barry Furgason of Michigan and Fred Wildfang, of Colorado.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care, (616) 452-3006.
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