Victor A. Nelson

Victor August Nelson of Broomfield, formerly of Dacono, Boulder, and a snowbird of Yuma, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on Jan 13, 2022 at the extraordinary age of 105.

Victor was dearly loved and admired by his family, friends, and caring neighbors. As he frequently liked to say, he remembered when sliced bread was invented back in 1928! A fact he not only shared to show off his cheeky sense of humor, but to also display just how sharp his wit and memory remained, even as he was well on his way as a centenarian. 

Victor was born on Oct 1, 1916 in Salina, Kansas, the youngest of five children born to John Victor Nelson and Ruby Nancy Houghton. He married his highschool sweetheart, Theresa Louise Wilbur, on Nov 28, 1936 in Salina, and the two welcomed son, Victor Wayne Nelson ("Wayne") in 1938. Shortly after, the family moved to Boulder and welcomed their second son, Hugh Wesley Nelson ("Wes") in 1942. 

During World War II, Victor, a baker and chef by trade, was called to serve in the U.S. Merchant Marines and did so with great pride. Though stationed in the ship’s engine room, he often managed to find his way into the galley to help bake rolls for the crew, and once, even a birthday cake for the ship’s captain.

Upon his return from the war, Victor, always with an adventurous spirit, took an overseas job in Greenland, then returned to his family in Boulder and began his employment at University of Colorado in 1953, where he would once again share his talents as a baker and from which he would eventually retire.

Victor was famously known among family and friends for making birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other important events even more special by baking a decadent cake for the occasion. This was his sweet way of showing his love and sharing his special talents.

Victor and Theresa built two family homes in Boulder, and after retirement, took to the road to explore the country in their motorhome. They visited many places from Alaska to Arizona, and in between, enjoying the latter so much that they bought a second home in Yuma to escape the snowy Colorado winters. Though friends and family missed them during those cold months, they were delighted when Victor and Theresa returned in the spring with crates of sweet Arizona grapefruit to share. The pair later moved to Broomfield to be close to son, Wayne, and daughter-in-law, Meredith.

Victor’s beloved wife, Theresa, passed away in 2012 after 75 loving years of marriage. Victor is also preceded in death by: his son, Wayne Nelson, and Wayne’s wife, Meredith, and son, Wes Nelson; his parents, Victor and Ruby Nelson; four siblings, Leveda Smith, Blenda James, Charles Nelson, and Helen “Dollie” Bledsoe; and nieces and nephews, John Nelson, Tony Nelson, Roger Nelson, William Nelson, Janette Nelson, Helen Bledsoe, Nancy Bledsoe, Leveda Bledsoe, Betty Bledsoe, and John Bledsoe. 

Victor is survived by: daughter-in-law, Ruth; grandsons, Robert Nelson, David Nelson, and Brian Nelson; nieces, Ruby Heflin and Veta Hartman; many great and great-great grandchildren, and numerous great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews. 

The family offers thanks to Meals on Wheels, Veterans Affairs, and Victor’s kind neighbors for their compassionate care. Victor's passing closes a generational chapter in the family; he will be greatly missed and always remembered. 

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26th, at Fort Logan National Cemetery. 

Heave Ho! My Lads, Heave Ho!

It's a long, long way to go.

It's a long, long pull with our hatches full,

Braving the wind, braving the sea,

Fighting the treacherous foe;

Heave Ho! My lads, Heave Ho!

Let the sea roll high or low,

We can cross any ocean, sail any river.

Give us the goods and we'll deliver,

Damn the submarine!

We're the men of the Merchant Marine!

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