Donald Ralph Nelson, 85, passed away on August 21, 2013, at his home in West Richland, Washington, due to cancer. He was born on January 14, 1928 at Kemmerer, Wyoming, to Ralph Owen and Nora Adela Buck Nelson. He grew up on the homestead ranch working with cattle and sheep, saddle horses and workhorse teams. In 1944, he was a Sergeant in the Wyoming State Guard, graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1945, and in December of that year married Esther Isabel Goff. 4 children were born of this marriage: Kenneth, Kim, Donna and Jon. The couple were later divorced. Changing occupations from ranching and farming to radio broadcasting, Don built and managed AM/FM radio stations for 20 years at Camas, Quincy, Ellensburg and Toppenish, Washington, and for a time was the nightly news anchorman at KID-TV in Idaho Falls, Idaho. While at Quincy he married Patricia Ann Adcox and they had 2 daughters, Suzanne and Janette "George". The couple were married for 55 years. After retiring from broadcasting, Don became a licensed hearing aid fitter/dispenser in Washington, with offices in Ellensburg and Othello for nearly 20 more years. When the couple moved to West Richland to be nearer to family, Don finally really retired and in 2005 the couple were called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Church's Family History Library in Salt Lake City. They served in that capacity for 3 years before returning to West Richland where they began housing Sister Missionaries of the Church and were in the 5th year of such housing which ended with the onset of Don's cancer in July, 2013. Don was active in the LDS Church throughout his life, including serving 4 Stake missions, High Counselor, Bishop's Counselor, Bishop, Second Counselor in the Stake Presidency for 10 years, and more than 20 years serving in the Seattle and Columbia River Temples. Besides his family, among Don's greatest loves were riding his cow pony Queen and piloting his J-3 Piper Cub airplane. He was also a steadfast patriot who loved his country and particularly admired George Washington. Don is survived by his wife, Ann "Annabelle" at home; daughters Suzanne Mike Bruton of Rexburg, ID; Janette "George" James Hazel, West Richland; and Donna Verna of Los Altos, CA; sons Kenneth Truda of Syracuse, UT; Kim LeeAnn of Riverton, UT; and Jon MaryAnn of Napa, CA; 27 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren; sister Leah Kulinsky, West Jordan, UT; brothers Charles Jean of Corvallis, OR; Doyle Charlene of So. Jordan, UT; Keith Kathy of Hyrum, UT; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Catherine Larson. Visitation will be Friday, August 30th from 6 to 8 PM at Memories at Sunset Event Center, with another viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 31st at the West Richland LDS meetinghouse on Paradise Rd. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with arrangements by Einan's Funeral Home. The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the gifts of flowers, food and prayers and to all, especially Scott Hansen, who have assisted in making our husband and father comfortable throughout his brief illness, and those who helped to build the wheelchair ramp. Thanks also to the Relief Society for the dinner and other compassionate service rendered at this time. Finally, we express most particular thanks to our own Dr. James Hazel who patiently and lovingly guided us through the process of caring for our loved one and keeping him comfortable and secure and cherished through wearisome days and long nights.