Donald Laverne Nelson (1922-1984)

NELSON, PADELFORD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/28/2014 at 22:59:52

From Nevada Journal February 1984

DONALD L. NELSON

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the United Methodist Church in Nevada for Donald L. Nelson, 62, of Nevada, who died Sunday, Feb. 12, 1984, at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Nelson was born on Oct 22, 1922, and has been a lifelong resident of Nevada. He was admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1949, after receiving a bachelor's degree in 1947 and Juria Doctorate degree in 1949 from the University of Iowa.

He served as County Attorney for Story County from 1955 through 1963, during which time he was elected to a term as president of the Iowa County Attorney's Association. He was a member of the judicial nominating committee of the 11th Judicial District from 1964 to 1970, and a member of the Second Judicial District nominating oommittee from 1974 to 1980.

Nelson was a former president of the Story County Bar Associating and a former member of the Iowa State Board of Governors of the Iowa State Bar Association. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, the Iowa County Attorney's Association and the Iowa Defense Counsel Association.

Nelson had practiced law in Nevada since 1949 and was partner in the firm of Nelson & Cahill at the time of his death.

Nelson was a World War II veteran, having served as a glider pilot, and was a member of the United Methodist Church and Nevada Rotary Club. He was active in community affairs, serving on various committees and boards. He was instrumental in establishing the Senior Citizen's Center in Nevada.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian; two sons, Thomas A. at Iowa City and F. William of Houston, Tex.; and a sister, Vere Padelford of Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred W. and Edna Nelson; and two brothers, Robert and Richard.

A memorial fund has been established.