Nathan Johan Royal Nelson

Nathan Nelson, age 41, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 8, 2015.  He died suddenly in his sleep while on sea duty in the international waters of the Indian Ocean.

Nate was born in Bellingham to Roy and Sandy Nelson. After graduating in 1993 from Meridian High School, he boarded a fishing vessel named the “Wooster” in Kodiak, AK and worked as a deckhand and fisherman. The next year, he had the opportunity to work on land and helped build the Mt. Baker Lodge with the Wellman and Zuck Company. Impero Construction also employed him in their metal fabrication shop.  Nathan decided he had salt water in his veins and wanted to pursue his spirit of adventure and natural mechanical ability to work in the maritime industry.  He enrolled in the Tongue Point Maritime Seamanship Program in Astoria, Oregon. He graduated and immediately got a job working on the Sea River, a shipping vessel. He was then hired by Foss International with whom he spent 14 years and he held such positions as Able Bodied Seaman, Oiler and Engineer.  He was a member of the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union.

When not out to sea, he was a devoted father to his son, Ethan, often taking him on hikes, picnics, and fishing trips. Ethan describes his dad as kind, nice, thoughtful, and giving. Everyone around Nathan will remember his ever-present wide smile, generosity, and belly laugh. He enjoyed fixing up a 1940 Jeep Willys, motorcycling, and being at all family functions when he was on land. He made a point of visiting with his friends and family members any chance he had, taking time to make the “rounds” and catching up. Nathan was much loved by his family and friends.

 He attended Freedom Church and had a special place in his heart for the Lighthouse Mission. He is preceded in death by grandparents Ray and Evelyn Rutzatz and Harry and Esther Forsberg. He is survived by his son Ethan, parents Roy and Sandy Nelson, sisters Sonia (Kurt) Meyer and Mandy (Calvin) Lehman, nephew Barrett and niece Ruby. Uncles and Aunts include: Ronald (Barbara Jean) Nelson, Barbara (Jerry) Gran, Shirley (Bob) Bammerlin, Geri (Paul) Madison, Ralph (Iryna) Forsberg, and David (Susan) Forsberg. Nathan was close to his many cousins as well.

A family committal service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Northwest Baptist Church with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nathan Nelson Memorial Fund to be held in trust for his son, Ethan, at any Whatcom Educational Credit Union branch, P.O. Box 9750, Bellingham, WA 98227.