Theodore F. “Ted” Nelson of Milton-Freewater passed away at Providence Hospital in Walla Walla, Wash. on April 17, 2021 at the age of 80.
He was born on Nov. 18, 1940 in Fergus Falls, Minn. to Clarence and Marian Huskins Nelson.
As a child, Ted moved with his family to Astoria. He attended Star of the Sea Catholic School in Astoria, where he graduated from high school. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1958 until 1962. While in the Army, he was stationed in Japan for much of his service time.
After his honorable discharge, Ted moved to Portland in search of work and to further his education. He attended the Western Business University where he studied computer technology, graduating in 1964. He worked on the first IBM computer in the Portland area as a computer software developer. He worked for several different companies before he began working for himself. He retired from software development in 2000. He moved to Hermiston in 2008, where he lived until moving to Milton-Freewater in 2013.
Ted enjoyed online puzzles, fishing, traveling, and his work with computer software development.
Ted married Mary Erhardt in January 1964 and two children, Mindy and Myke, were born. The couple divorced in 2008. In May 2013 he married Phyllis Bond.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Nelson; daughter, Mindy Dahl; son, Myke Nelson; four grandchildren, Cristi Ann Kingsland-Nelson, Kendra Anderson, Kyle Nelson and Mycha Nelson; one great granddaughter, Luna Jenkins; two brothers, Thomas Nelson of Beaverton and Terrance Nelson of Newberg; and several extended family members.
A private family service will be held with burial in the Hermiston Cemetery.
Family suggests memorial contributions in Ted’s memory be made to the Oregon Humane Society.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
