Byron Ward Nelson
(1923 - 2008)
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Rank attained: SGT
Wars/Conflicts: World War II
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Bryon Ward Nelson passed away Sunday, July 27, 2008 of natural causes after breaking his hip in February. He was born September 10, 1923 in San Jose, CA to Julius Sigfried (Sid) and Agnes Nelson. Bryon graduated from high school and joined the army. He worked as a plane mechanic overseas in WWII and after being discharged was employed in the same profession with NASA at Moffitt Field in Mountain View, CA where he worked alongside his father. He married Barbara Schigal and later divorced. After retiring, Byron married Lois Birdwell whom he later divorced. They moved to Magalia, California where he enjoyed the fresh air and walks with his German Shepherds. He then moved to Gresham, OR and on to Grants Pass where he has resided for 12 years. Byron was an avid tennis player and golfer. When he went to tee off, he would simply state his name and was treated like royalty because they thought he was the golf pro of the same name. Byron loved the ocean and enjoyed traveling to Mexico. Byron was a generous friend to all who knew him. He was always good for a story and a laugh. Everyone will miss him. Byron is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Roland Dean Nelson. He is survived by his sister-in-law, two nieces, and dear friends he has met throughout his life whom he considered family. At Byron’s request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
The obituary was published in the Grants Pass, Oregon newspaper at the time of his passing.
Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Byron's lifetime.
In 1923, in the year that Byron Ward Nelson was born, on September 1, an earthquake - the Great Kanto earthquake - destroyed one-third of Tokyo. Measuring 7.9 and with a reported duration of between 4 and 10 minutes, casualties totaled about 142,800 deaths, including about 40,000 who went missing and were presumed dead.
In 1948, Byron was 25 years old when on May 14th, the State of Israel was proclaimed by David Ben-Gurion, who became Israel's first Premier, and the U.S. officially recognized Israel. That evening, Egypt launched an air assault on Israel.
In 1953, Byron was 30 years old when on July 27th, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. The Armistice was to last until "a final peaceful settlement is achieved". No peaceful settlement has ever been agreed upon.
In 1969, when he was 46 years old, in August, a previously planned small concert turned into a (free) more than 400,000 strong gathering of attendees and bands at Max Yasgur's farm in upstate New York - now called Woodstock. Just some of the 32 acts: Richie Havens, Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Joan Baez, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe, Santana, The Band, and Sly and the Family Stone.
In 1981, when he was 58 years old, on January 20th, Ronald Reagan became the 40th President of the United States. He ran against the incumbent, Jimmy Carter, and won 50.7% of the popular vote to Carter's 41.0%.
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