Frank R. Nelson, 76, entered into rest Tuesday, September 1, 2015, in Clinton, Washington. He was born on December 13, 1938 in Wendell, Idaho. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Marie Nelson, as well as his brother, Byron (Bab) Nelson.
   Frank is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sue Nelson of Manteca, his children, Margaret A. Steves (Jeff) of Oakdale, California, and Peter M. Nelson (Gabrielle Lajoie) of Belvedere, California. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Taylor Steves, Austin Steves, Madeline Nelson, and Casey Nelson. He also has one godchild, Walter Nelson Jr. In addition, Frank has three surviving siblings, MaryAnn Fox (Jack), Walt Nelson (Pat) and Fred Nelson (Sherry).
   Frank was a longtime resident of Manteca. He held various management positions within the agricultural department of Spreckels Sugar Company in Woodland, San Francisco, and then finally relocating his family to Manteca in 1976, where he has lived for nearly 40 years.  He started his high school years at Columbia Prep in Portland, Oregon and returned to his hometown to graduate in 1957 at Gooding High School in Idaho. It is there where he excelled in football and track, becoming the Varsity High-Hurdle State Champion his senior year. Upon completion of his high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.
   Frank received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Idaho. While attending the university, he served as President of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity. Frank’s hobbies included golf, reading, setting his prized crab pot out at their summer home on Whidbey Island and watching college football, especially, the Oregon Ducks. He loved watching his children play sports and enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball as well as Pop Warner Football for the Manteca Cowboys. He also served as President of the Manteca High School Sports Boosters Club.   Frank will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed.
   P.L. Fry is honored to serve the Nelson Family.  A Rosary/Mass will be held in Frank’s honor on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 505 East North Street, Manteca. He will be laid to rest privately at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Escalon, California.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: American Cancer Society, 207 East Alpine Ave., Stockton, CA 95202 or, The Manteca Historical Society, P.O. Box 907, Manteca, CA 95336.

Manteca(Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, September 10, 2015