Ronald L. Nelson passed away peacefully at his home in Port Ludlow surrounded by his family on Dec. 14, 2021.
Ron was born on March 23, 1933, to Willis and Opal Nelson in Brea, California. He met the love of his life, Diane, while stationed with the U.S. Air Force in San Antonio, Texas. They married in Diane’s home state of Minnesota on Jan. 15, 1956, married nearly 66 years. After his stint in the Air Force, Ron graduated from Cal State Fresno with a degree in education.
Ron provided his family with the best life ever, living in a U.S. Forest Service community over a mile high in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. He taught grades first through sixth at Chilao Mountain School, the last one-room/one-teacher schoolhouse in Los Angeles County. Three times during Ron’s tenure, his students appeared on “The Art Linkletter Show.” On wintery days when the power went out, school shut down and all 16 kids were transported to the local ski resort for a free day of skiing. Los Angeles city schools bused kids up the mountain highway so they could experience a day of one-room schooling. Ron served as a U.S. Forest Ranger in the summers fighting fires, presenting shows at the local campground amphitheater, and managing the campground, bringing his kids along to help clean up the campsites. Ron and Diane took the family on many U.S. and Canadian camping trips, visiting all the National Parks and Monuments along the way. He instilled the love of the outdoors in his kids, teaching them to cherish our environment. Hollywood shot many TV series and movies in the mountain community, and the kids were thrilled meeting stars such as Lassie and Fess Parker. The family even attended love-ins and political rallies at LA’s Griffith Park.
All his life, Ron was active in politics and fought hard for civil rights, social justice, peace, and universal healthcare for all. In California, he participated with Cesar Chavez in the fight to unionize migrant farmworkers.
In 1970, Ron and Diane moved the family to Washington state, attracted by the greenery. Ron continued his political activism, both locally and nationally. He participated in the Washington, D.C. march to free Nelson Mandela. He took his family to various Democratic conventions and rallies. He and Diane worked on many local and national campaigns. In 2000, at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Norm Dicks and Hillary Clinton presented Ron and Diane with the Magnuson Awards for Male and Female Washington State Democratic Party Volunteers of the Year. One day, in his early 80s, Ron spent the day on Sims Way campaigning for Bernie Sanders, and later that day spent time in the hospital for dehydration. He was dedicated to his causes. Ron retired from the Central Kitsap School District after teaching elementary school for 23 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the district’s Outdoor Education program.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Diane; their son Erik (Lacey); daughters Dana, Sue (Ben), and Jenny. He leaves behind four grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud: Cory of Kirkland, Wash.; Ashley of Boston, Massachusetts; Chelsea of Port Ludlow; and Tate of St. Paul, Minnesota. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren.
A private family service was held over Christmas.
