Leonard E. Nelson, 81, died March 28 at his John Day home, surrounded by family. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at the John Day United Methodist Church.

Mr. Nelson was born Nov. 24, 1932, in Parshall, N.D., the youngest of three girls and two boys to Marguerite Colclough and Edwin Nelson. In a family of athletes, he excelled in football and track, and graduated valedictorian from high school. He studied pharmacology in Fargo, where he met Louise Moe, a nurse at the local hospital.

They married in December 1958, and moved to Prineville where they began raising their family. For eight years there, he worked as a pharmacist and she as a nurse.

In 1966, they moved to John Day, where they ran Lens Drug for 30 years before retiring in 1996. During retirement, they visited many friends and family, and traveling to his favorite destination, Kauai.

He was a dedicated worker, and yet found a way to be generous with his time whether delivering a prescription to a homebound person or taking his kids skiing. He and his wife opened their home to a range of friends and extended family, including Mike (Angie) Malone of La Grande. He had a quiet strength and compassion for others.

He enjoyed watching his children grow, first as athletes and fun-loving kids, then into adults who became successful in their careers. His love for his grandchildren, Malia, Drew, Kyle, Kaylie and Makenna, ran deep and brought him a great deal of joy

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Louise; son, Larry (Amanda) Nelson of Bend; daughters, Lori (Jerry) Wolcott of Philomath and Lenise (Steve) Rawlings of Vancouver; and sisters, Elaine Nelson of Parshall, N.D. and Doris Deardorff of Cincinnati.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Eunice Nemetz and Kenneth Nelson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice, John Day United Methodist Church, John Day-Canyon City Parks and Rec. or a charity of ones choice, through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.