George H. “Spud” Nelson, 95, former supervisor of maintenance and operations for the Aberdeen School District, died at Grays Harbor Community Hospital Monday, October 10, 2011. He was born in Winlock, WA September 3, 1916, the son of Nels and Helen (White) Nelsen. [[that is correct spelling for Nelsen]]
He was raised on a farm in Winlock that never had electricity or running water. He graduated from Winlock High School, attending Washington State College until entering the Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War Two. He flew B-24 bombers in the South Pacific during the War and continued his service as a flight instructor for the Air Force after the War. In 1948 he flew 115 missions in C-54 aircraft during the Berlin Airlift in Germany. During the nuclear testing at the Bikini Atol in the Pacific he flew helicopters.
George was married August 22. 1942 to Arlene Helen Reames in San Francisco. She died in Aberdeen May 1, 2005.
In the mid 1950s George continued his military career in the Air Force Reserves and came home to Aberdeen where his wife and children awaited him. Along the way he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences from Washington State University. He had also worked for a while at the Rayonier Mill in Hoquiam and then took a position with the Aberdeen School district in maintenance and operations, retiring in 1981 as the supervisor for the district. He used his retirement years logging the timber from family property that was deeded in 1889..
George was a member of the Aberdeen Elk’s Lodge, No. 593 and the Washington Farm Forestry Association. He liked to read especially World War Two history and Louis L’Amour books.
George is survived by two sons: George Nelson, Jr. (Judy McBeth), Gresham, OR and Robert J. Nelson, Aberdeen; a daughter: Beverly (Arthur, Jr.) Bein, Edina, MN; four grandchildren: Barbara Laux, Redondo Beach, CA, Arthur Paul Bein III, Hawaii, Raquel Nelson, Cosmopolis and Andre Nelson, Aberdeen; and two great grandchildren, Marguerite and Mason.
Private inurnment will take place with his wife, Arlene, in the Old Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, WA.
A card of condolence with a message may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.

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