Gerald F. Nelson, age 59, passed away on Friday, October 12, 2012, at his home in Round Mountain, California. Born December 7, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas, he grew up mostly in Kettering, Ohio and obtained a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Wright State University after having studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design. He opened up his own business, Solid Surface Design, with his business partner, Monty Kayes, making high end custom cabinetry. Gerald always had a taste for the finer things in life, wine, song, and, of course, fly-fishing. In 1998, this same passion led him to find the love of his life in Linda, his wife, companion, friend, and partner until the very end. In 2006, he sold his interest in his business and, in 2007, both he and Linda moved to Round Mountain where he was a devoted husband, father, and community volunteer. There, he was actively involved as the music minister of their church, the St. Francis of Assisi parish, a board-member and fishmaster of the Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers Club, and the president of the Mountain Union Community Center. He was survived by his loving wife, Linda Nelson; "adoptive" son, Christopher Pound; parents, Floyd and Janette Nelson of Ocala, FL; siblings, Patrick Nelson of Corpus Christie, TX, Philip Nelson of Nashville, TN, Susan Yowe of Danville, CA, Michael Nelson of Honolulu, HI; step-children, Rhoda Mehl, Daniel Bloch, and Christina Mora; nieces and nephews, Timothy, Douglas, Kimberly, Matthew, Peter, Bryan and Julie Nelson, and Michael and Elizabeth Yowe; and step-grandchildren, Tai and Lucy Bloch. Service will be held starting at 12Noon on Sunday, the 21st of October at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 37464 Juniper Avenue, Burney, CA 96013. Services will consist of an open visitation from 12Noon-1 p.m., a rosary vigil from 1-2 p.m., and a funeral mass from 2-3 p.m. Burial will be held in private at a later date. Relatives and friends are welcome to join the reception immediately following the service at Mountain Union Community Center, at 30365 California Route 299, Montgomery Creek, CA 96065. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be directed to either of the following - St. Francis of Assisi Church, P.O. Box 160, Burney, CA 96013 or Mountain Union Community Center, P.O. Box 85, Round Mountain, CA 96084.

Published in The Columbus Dispatch from Oct. 17 to Oct. 18, 2012.