Obituary of Don Nelson

January 6, 1940 - Provost, Alberta

November 23, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Donald Nelson was born in Provost, AB on January 6, 1940 to Barbara Nelson (nee Williams) and Gustaf Nelson in 1940. He passed away peacefully on Monday, November 22, 2021 a month and a half before his 82nd birthday. Donald was found resting at home the morning of November 23rd in his favorite chair in front of the TV where he had sat to watch Monday Night Football (he definitely had some money on this game!).  

Even though my father had several different health issues over the past few years, he stood up to each one strongly (including a snake bite from a rattler on a golf course in Arizona) and continued to make plans for his future, including an upcoming trip South for a month of golf this February.

Born in Provost he had an idyllic youth on the beautiful Alberta Prairies in Edgerton. Attending school by horseback and then high school in Edgerton. At seventeen, he attended college in Camrose, and after marrying his high-school sweetheart Faye Jeffery in 1959, he started to work the harvest and then a year for the Alberta Department of Highways, Don made a big decision. My parents and I then moved to Calgary, where he began a career with the Calgary Fire Department in 1962, that lasted 33 years. This culminated with him being the Captain in 1985 for thirteen years as well as the Calgary Fire Department District Chief before retirement in 1995. We all love a man in uniform and my Dad looked handsome!

He continued in agriculture during his time on the Fire Department, working the land by first assisting his family and eventually buying the family homestead outright and where he worked together with his brother Alan Nelson. Together they farmed crops and raised cattle through the years until he sold it in the 80’s. During this time, Donald also acquired his pilot license and flew a small Cessna prop plane back and forth between Calgary and the farm in Edgerton Alberta.

Don was still spreading his entrepreneurial wings and began a shared business “Fitrent” which he took over that was a popular home exercise equipment store in Calgary, eventually being bought out by FLAMAN and then allowing my father to completely retire. He was a true competitor and athlete excelling at whatever he tried, be it playing cards, chess, dominoes, softball, baseball, skiing, golf, and curling, which he pursued with a vengeance and achieved much notoriety both provincially and nationally in different leagues. An ardent member of The Calgary Curling Club for many years, he actively worked towards it's rebuild as part of the committee to construct the now present building after the tragic fire and reopen in 1977. Don also had a love of gambling, horse races and blackjack. He was part owner of two racing thoroughbreds as he loved experiencing things to their fullest. I love the fact that my father and daughter time was often spent at the horse races with my dad, him teaching me how to read the program and place a bet, or how to play blackjack at the tables. Success on these trips to the racetracks often funded my passions, my Daddy taught me well!

Don was an avid golfer and when he and Faye bought their last home in Calgary in 1987, it was no surprise that it was close to his second home, the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. He was an enthusiastic investor/trader and loved nothing more than watching the stock market just as much as he loved watching sports. Besides the above interests, my father and mother together enjoyed many things including camping, fishing, hiking, dining out, and spending time with friends and family and travel. Many dinner parties were held at my parents’ home.

He was a wonderful father to me which I am grateful for. My father understood my love of the arts and horses, buying me my first horse at the age of thirteen, which saw me through my adolescence giving me a real direction of purpose and passion. He always had my best interests at heart and took care of my children and me until the end in many different ways. To those that knew him, he was often the quiet one, to his family, often not a man of many words but when he spoke it was always grounding and reassuring.

Suddenly predeceased by his wife Faye in 2013, Don bravely forged a new stage of life on his own, taking many annual road trips to Palm Springs, and Arizona where he golfed and visited his niece Janice and her husband Maurice in Yuma, Arizona.

Don as he was affectionately known, was a son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend to many. He is missed greatly by his daughter Cathern Cameron (nee Nelson); her five children, Sofie Marricks-Hung (David), and great-granddaughter Dylan Victoria Hung, Laura Marricks (Sean Seaton), Joseph Marricks, Callum Marricks , and Hayley Marricks. He was the youngest sibling of Joan Jones, Alan Nelson, and Gail Smyth; uncle to Kevyn Jones, Terry Jones, Susan Shoemaker, Janice Benoit, Tracy McHale, Brent Nelson, Daryll Smith, and Randy Smith. We are all shocked by his sudden passing at the age of 81 because he had convinced us that he would be around for many more years to come.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. We are so thankful to all of Don’s friends and family who have really been there for him over these past few years, Thank you all. Many thanks to George and Pat Fink, Gail and Alan Karpecian, Susan and Greg Shoemaker, Megan Covert, Laura Marricks, Joseph Marricks, Sarah Hill, Karen and Gary Davidson, Darlene Nielsen, and Lanny Kerkhoff and to all that have offered well wishes and help. 

Rest In Peace Daddy, will always love you and be proud to be your daughter xxx Cate.

In living memory of Donald Nelson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.