Melvin Ronald Nelson

Mel was born in Chicago, Illinois to Carl and Mildred Nelson and lived much of his childhood on the shores of Lake Michigan. Some of his first jobs included working as a caddy at the South Shore Country Club, working in the steel mills in Chicago and working at the YMCA. He served time in the army stationed in Germany. After being discharged, he finished up at Northern Illinois University where he got his BA and then to Indiana University where he received his master’s degree. He married his childhood friend Helen/Nena (North) in 1960. A year later their daughter Linda was born. They moved to San Diego in 1962 and Mel began his teaching career in the Sweetwater Union School District where he taught for 30 years. He and Nena were world travelers. They had many memorable trips to Europe, Asia, South and Central America and their favorite, Mexico. Their timeshare in Vail, Colorado proved to be a convenient halfway point to hold fun family reunions with relatives from Chicago, Denver, Albuquerque and Texas. They also took many cruises with family and friends. In 1978, Mel and Nena hosted a foreign exchange student whose family they had met while vacationing in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Maru attended Patrick Henry High School with their daughter. It was a wonderful experience for all concerned and cemented deep ties to their newly extended Mexican family which carry on to this day. When he was not travelling, Mel spent time working in his yard, bicycling on the boardwalk in Mission Beach and hosting many happy hours and paella parties with Nena at their home for all of their many friends and neighbors, many of whom, like them, lived on Spruce Lake for over 40 years. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be remembered by many for his wit and charm. The family is extremely grateful for the companionate care given to Mel during his last year and a half with dementia given by Luz Price and her caregivers at Pacifica Living Center in Murrieta. Mel is survived by his wife of 58 years Helen Nelson, daughter Linda (David) Rounds, grandsons Wesley and Scott Rounds; sister, Alice (Bob) Moore and many nephews and a niece. He was predeceased by his sister Lucille and brother-in-law Wesley Johnson. He had a full and plentiful life well-lived. He will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held April 14th at the Brigantine Restaurant.