Alan Owen Nelson

Alan passed away on October 3, 2016, with his family present. Alan was born to parents Ruth (nee Hall) and Norman Nelson in Little Falls, Minnesota, on June 20, 1940. After spending his early years in nearby Randall, Alan grew up in Little Falls, the youngest sibling of Norma, Don, and Shirley, all of whom preceded him in death. Al was a prolific athlete for the Little Falls High School Flyers. He played basketball, was the quarterback on the football team, played centerfield on the 1957 state champion baseball team, and also ran track. A top student, he graduated from high school in 1958. Al went on to attend the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1963 with a BS in metallurgical sciences. Al moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1966. He met his future wife, Sharon Alexander, at a New Year's Eve party in 1970 and soon joined her family of two little boys, James and Nicholas. They were married in 1980. A devoted husband, Al and Sharon traveled the country and world together, which included visits to their children abroada€""James as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador and Nick as a minority rights monitor in Croatia. Big Al took well to fatherhood and was a fine role model for his sons. He also engendered in Nick and James a love of sports, most especially for tennis and skiing. For 40 years, Al worked as a metallurgist and technical salesman in the plating industry of Northern California. Respected for his knowledge in his field, Al was well liked by those with whom he worked for his kind and generous spirit. He traveled the roads of California visiting customers throughout his territory, which attested to Al's attention to the details of his work and the needs of those who depended on his services. Many of Al's customers became personal friends. Al leaves behind his loving wife, Sharon, his adoring two sons, Nick and James, and many relatives and friends who admired and loved him dearly. He left us too soon. A memorial service for Alan will be held at a date to be determined.