Gary Ray Nelson

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to all: Gary Ray Nelson passed on to the next phase of God’s cosmic plan. He died on 10/10/2023 after a series of setbacks to both mind and body; he was simply worn out. He led a long and productive life and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gary was born during the depression to Ray and Helen Nelson in Tulare, CA, a farm community in Central California. He grew up accustomed to hard work helping his father grow cotton, milk cows and work at the local cotton gin. As he grew up, he learned the importance of family, honest hard work and frugality during these challenging times – traits that shaped the rest of his life.

He grew up in the Methodist Church where his mother and grandmother were Sunday School teachers. At an early age, he took the pledge to refrain from “John BarleyCorn” as his Granny Nelson was head of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Unfortunately, as an adult he broke this pledge by enjoying an occasional glass of wine. I don’t think God will hold that against him, but Granny Nelson might!

He attended Tulare Union High School where he lettered in football all 4 years. He played with a great team which included two future Olympic champions: Bob Mathias (decathlon) and Sam Ennis (discus). They won the District Championship in 1948.

In spite of all the necessary hard work and football, Gary graduated on time in 1949. While growing up in Tulare, he was fortunate to be supported by loving parents, all his grandparents, many aunts and uncles and numerous family friends, all of which helped him lead a life of integrity.

After High School, Gary attended Sequoia College, the National Radio School and LA Technical College. By then the Korean conflict had broken out so he joined the Army. He took training at various East Coast bases. After becoming an officer, he was sent to Korea where he served as an Electronic Intelligence officer. While stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ, he met and dated a charming NYC girl, Marga Holl. Before shipping out to Korea, the country boy from a California farm town and the city girl from New York City tied the knot. It was a match made in heaven. Marga worked at the A.T.&T headquarters in downtown New York City saving her paychecks to start their life together when he returned from Korea.

Upon returning from Korea, Gary and Marga started a new life in Salt Lake City where he went back to college and earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. During their three year stay in Salt Lake, their daughter Cathy was born.

Upon graduation Gary and family moved to Syracuse/Chittenango, NY where he worked for over 32 years developing antenna, communication systems and radars. In addition to his engineering work, during the first three years, GE sent him to graduate school where he earned a Masters Degree in Electronic Engineering from Syracuse University. During this same time, their son Doug was born.

Gary spent several decades at GE researching and developing Over-the-Horizon radar technology. This research led to the manufacture and development of the Over-the-Horizon radars during the Cold War. These radars provided an early warning system off the east and west US coasts. During this period he served as chief engineer and program manager for this 1 billion dollar plus air defense system.

Toward the latter part of his 32 year career at GE, he served as Manager of new market and product development. During this phase of his career he traveled extensively to many countries to discuss Over-the-Horizon radar applications with their governments and industries. Gary retired from GE in 1989. During his career he was a member of several professional scientific and engineering organizations and filed three patent applications. Gary became an amateur radio operator after graduating from high school. His call sign was WA2BRB.

After retirement, he and wife Marga spent six weeks touring the west in search of the ideal retirement area. That ideal place turned out to be Wenatchee, WA. They moved there and built a new home. With the help of their son, Doug, they designed and built their dream retirement home.

After landscaping and planting a small fruit orchard, Gary was tapped to serve as the volunteer general contractor for a million dollar refurbishment of his church, the First United Methodist Church. The task, while demanding, helped Gary become better acquainted with the good people of the city.

He then joined SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) volunteering to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. During his career with SCORE, he mentored over 500 business clients as well as performed many Chapter administrative duties.

During retirement, Gary enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, visiting with friends and spinning tall stories.

During his last years, when health issues started to crop up, Gary and Marga moved to Bountiful, Utah, to be close to their daughter Cathy. Cathy was instrumental in helping her parents as they entered their nineties and will continue helping her mom as she enters this new chapter.

During his life, Gary took pride in his work ethic, helping others, his family and friends, his church and his roots in the soil. For those that knew Gary, you know what an outgoing and gregarious personality he had. He was always there to help family, friends, or anyone for that matter, map out a course for success, whatever that might be. Even now, he’s probably asking God to see his plan of action as we speak! He was a very special man, and will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers may we suggest a donation to a favorite Charity.