Harry Nelson

Harry Nelson, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Advent Health Hospice Care Porter in Centennial. Harry was born in Bishop, California to Ken and Lillian Nelson. He was a 1961 graduate of Bishop High School where he played several sports and was voted Best Male Personality in his senior year. He has two sons, Brett and Gavin Nelson, and he and Linda have one daughter Vanessa (Nelson) Maruska. Harry married Linda in November and they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this year.

Growing up so close to the Sierra Mountain range in California, Harry had a great love of the outdoors. This included deer hunting, fishing and back packing. Harry introduced Linda to backpacking in 1974, as well as fishing, and following their marriage she joined him several times on hunting trips in California, Oregon and Colorado. He and Linda enjoyed traveling together to various states, islands, and countries during his lifetime. Harry became a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ on Fathers Day of 1974, and enjoyed a close relationship with the Lord.

Harry was very friendly and rarely met a stranger. He enjoyed greeting people and was known for giving warm hugs. His career included working for California State Transportation Dept., in drafting, design and surveys. Harry and Linda met at a Civil Engineering firm where they both worked in 1974. Harry continued working as a civil engineering designer until he became a Construction Superintendent for a Land Development Company in 1994, in Orange County, CA. He retired in October 2009, and moved to Colorado in 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ken and Lillian, as well as his older brother Richard. Harry is survived by his wife Linda, his son Brett, Brett’s children Ty and Tori, his son Gavin and wife Cathy, their children Ryland and Cameron, and by his daughter Vanessa and husband John Maruska and their son Henry. He is also survived by his brother Tom and wife Brenda, and brother Larry and his wife Kathy, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Harry was a patriot and served his country in the US Army during the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam and received an Honorable Discharge. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Disabled American Veterans.

Harry's ashes are to be buried in a private ceremony at Fort Logan Military Cemetery on November 7, 2025. The family will be holding a Celebration of Life Service at Mountainview Christian Church, 40 E. Highlands Ranch Pkwy, Highlands Ranch, CO, on November 8, 2025, at 11:00 am to which friends and family are invited.

Please share memories of Harry and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.