Joe T. Nelson, 94
Just three days short of his 95th birthday, Joseph 'Joe' Theodore Nelson's life journey on this Earth came to an end in Bigfork at the home of his granddaughter, Lori. 'And what a journey it was!'
When Joe was born in Kalispell on July 8, 1913, only Aunt Fuller gave him a chance of surviving. He proved the rest of the world wrong and thus began a life of overcoming extreme challenges, smiling and cussing all the way. Incidents from childhood shaped the journey to come — a journey of taking risks, embracing each and every day, innovating for survival, searching for ways to help others and never, ever having a regret.
Joe's love for Bigfork was always clear. When he was a youngster, his mother was stricken with tuberculosis, and the family moved from Bigfork to Clarkdale, Ariz., for five years. Even a brief stint in Nebraska with relatives during this time could not cool Joe's passion to return to the Flathead. He left again for Clarkdale when the Great Depression came to Montana. Not only did Joe find work there, but also his partner for life, Flo. Twelve hours after their wedding Oct. 29, 1937, Joe and Flo boarded a bus headed for Bigfork and never looked back.
Joe will be remembered best for the pivotal contributions he made to both the Bigfork Fire Department and fire departments statewide. As an early architect of funding programs for local volunteer fire departments, he quickly rose to leadership roles, including president of the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association and fire chief of Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department for 39 years. During his tenure, Joe implemented many innovations and changes that continue to grow and modernize Bigfork's department.
Beyond Joe's vocation as chief operator of the Bigfork hydro plant, he eagerly served the Bigfork Lions, again taking on many leadership roles. This attitude of service to others and community involvement continued well into Joe's 90s. Whether driving Flo to the Montana Association for the Blind meetings or helping out with the Pioneer Auto Club and engine shows, Joe's attendance had a positive impact.
Joe loved retirement! It meant working on his Model 'A' and driving Flo south for the winter in various camping trailers and motor homes. Their trips always took them to Arizona to visit family and longtime friends, and each journey was peppered with new discoveries and adventures. Almost always, they ran out of gas, took a wrong turn, or had a flat tire or breakdown. However, Joe turned all incidents into a great story illustrated with slides, snapshots and video.
Joe was husband to E. Florine 'Flo' Gilcrease Nelson of Kalispell, and father to Geraldine Grace Rainwater Johnson of Tacoma, Wash., and Palm Springs, Calif., and husband, Ron, Joseph Theodore Nelson Jr., and wife, Karen, of Petersburg, Alaska, and Harriett Brittenham of Parker, Colo., and husband, Marvin. Other survivors include brother, Earl Nelson, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Lori Rainwater of Bigfork, Alan Rainwater and wife, Pamela, of Tacoma, Ron Rainwater and wife, Tohni, of Graham, Wash., R. Garrett Brittenham and wife, Michelle, of Parker, Dan Nelson and wife, Lyssa, of Albuquerque, N.M., Paul Nelson and wife, Christy, of Albuquerque, and Jolene Nelson and husband, Keith, of Kalispell. Joe's 17 great-grandchildren and future 18th great-grandchild and first great-great-grandchild will greatly miss him.
The celebration of Joe's life will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Nelson Hall (Bigfork Fire Hall) in Bigfork.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department or charity of your choice.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Condolences may be made at www.buffalohillfh.com