Erik W. Nelson, 51, beloved son of David P. Nelson, Sr. and Sharon L. Nelson-Ogata, passed away peacefully November 18, 2012, due to stroke complications. Born in Seattle July 30, 1961, Erik grew up and lived the majority of his life in West Seattle. He enlisted in the Army in 1978, and served as an Elite Army Ranger through 1981, then served in The Army Reserves until 1984.

After the military, he traveled to Sand Point Alaska to work on his family's fishing boat. Upon return to Seattle, he attended South Seattle Community College, worked for Ball-Incon Glass Company, and King County in their roads division for 15 years. Recently, Erik returned to college to obtain a degree in Marine Technologies.

Erik had a passion for boats, Puget Sound, fishing, reading, gardening and a good steak. You could always find him at the family run business, "Seacrest Marina" on Alki from the 1970's through the early 1990's.

Erik is survived by his father, David, and stepmother, Edythe Nelson; mother, Sharon, and stepfather, Raymond Ogata; brothers, David P. Nelson, Jr. and Duke M. Ogata; sisters, Lorna A. Osterback and Rosemary L. Donovick; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his cherished lifelong family friend, Vicki J. (Hollingshead) Jensen.
Erik, we love and miss you dearly... You are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul as your journey continues. A family celebration of Erik's life will be held at a later date.

Published in the West Seattle Herald on January 11, 2013