Randal Philip Nelson

Lifetime Preston resident, Randal Philip Nelson, 94, passed away peacefully July 19, 2014 at home.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, August 1, at 1:00pm at the Preston Cemetery, Preston, Washington.

Randal was born October 22, 1919 at Swedish Hospital, in Seattle, to Florence E. (Holmgren) and Philip C. Nelson. He grew up in the Swedish community of Preston, Washington. He graduated from Issaquah High School in 1937 and attended the University of Washington.

He served in the United States Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan and Tientsin, China from 1944-1946 and was awarded the Purple Heart.

On December 28, 1949 he married Joyce Bruce Green, a British Subject, born in Shanghai, China.

Randal worked as a recruiter for Boeing, in the Personnel Department and traveled extensively. He worked for the Preston Mill Company for 25 years and finished his career with the Bellevue School District in the maintenance department at Sammamish High School.

Randal was a beloved husband, father and dear friend to many. He was a faithful member of the Preston Baptist Church, Preston Volunteer Fire Department, Preston Cemetery Association, Preston Community Club and VASA Lodge #378. Randal enjoyed volunteering at the Adra P. Berry Memorial Food Bank.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce and their daughter, Jane, from Preston, Washington; sister Bernice (Glenn) Carlson; niece, Susan (Charles) Segelhorst and their children, Annika and Thomas; nephew Steven (Louise) Carlson and their children, Greta and Sacha, all from California, and many loving friends.

Memorial gifts may be given, in Randal Nelson’s honor to:

Adra P. Berry Memorial Food Bank

% Raging River Community Church

PO Box 948, Preston, Washington 98050

Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.FLINTOFTS.COM