Gary William Nelson

July 30, 1935 – July 19, 2025

Gary William Nelson was born July 30th 1935 in Seattle WA to Hilma E. (Hannus) and Glenn A. Nelson. He passed away at home on July 19, 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. He is survived by his loving family, son Robert and wife Traci Nelson, daughter Janet (Nelson) Estes, Grandchildren Kristopher and Doria, cousins,nieces and nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Margaret J (Ralph) Nelson, father Glenn A. Nelson, mother Hilma E. (Hannus) Nelson, his sister Nancy (Nelson) Silvers and son in law Patrick A. Estes. Gary had a great sense of humor and deep love for his family. His absence will be deeply felt by many.

Gary was born with normal hearing but he lost it when he contracted spinal meningitis at 18 months of age. He attended the Oral Program for the Deaf at Summit School and John Marshall Junior High in Seattle WA, before transferring to the Washington School for the Deaf (WSD) in 1951 where he learned his

primary language: American Sign Language. He wasn’t able to play many sports in High School because he had a bout with Rheumatic fever at age 13. He supported the sports teams as a “water boy” and photographer for school events. He graduated from WSD in 1956. He was well liked and developed lifelong friendships with his classmates

After completing school, Gary went to work as a pressman for companies that produced Business Forms. He worked for as a pressman for 40+ years usually working the swing shift at: Craftsman Press in Ballard, Pacific Multi-forms in Ballard, Cascade Business forms in Olympia and Vanier Graphics in Bellevue. He was known for being able to identify small misprints in multiple layers of documents as they went through the presses and saved the companies he worked for money by catching mistakes early.

Gary and met Margaret the love of his life at an alumni basketball game between the Washington School for the Deaf, Vancouver WA and the School for the Deaf (Jericho Hill) in Vancouver B.C. Canada. Margaret had dreamed that she would meet a man wearing a white suit and she did. Gary and Margaret were the love of each other’s lives and they shared 56 years together. They now are reunited with joy in the presence of their Savior

After getting married and settling in Seattle, Margaret and Gary had two children Janet and Robert (Bobby). Gary was an involved father and grandpa that worked hard to provide for his family and was involved in as many events as he could be with his work schedule.

Gary loved taking pictures and video of every event and trip he attended. He has a large scrapbook collection of pictures that he continued to work on until his death. He organized them in chronological order so he updated each book as he collected or found old pictures. His kids have a large task ahead sorting through the old scrap books, piles of pictures, slides and 8mm tapes.

Gary was a good friend to many. There are so many wonderful memories of good times and years shared together. His classmates and lifelong friends can tell so many stories of wonderful times, their experiences raising their children together and of being a part of the Deaf community in Washington and Canada. Gary was a member of “The Frat” in Seattle and Puget Sound Association of the Deaf (Deaf Club).

Gary and Margaret were devoted Christians. Margaret and Gary always hosted people in their home. It was a place where people gathered for fellowship and Bible Study. Their home was launching pads for many ministries to the Deaf as young ministers came and preached the Word to the people gathered there before moving on to start new ministries. They encouraged and supported Deaf Ministries around the world.

Gary loved to travel and was able to go to many places. Memorable trips took him to Canada, California, Yellowstone, Banff, Washington D.C., Israel, Finland, Las Vegas, to the 50th Anniversary party of his friends Fred and Cathy Markworth in Riverside, California, and many wonderful trips to his wife’s home town of Victoria and to see her family.

He will be missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to request that you make a donation Hands of Praise Deaf Church or a Charity of your choice.