Gene Curtis Nelson Jr., 69

Gene Curtis Nelson Jr., 69, a resident of Forest Grove, Ore., passed away on May 19, 2019, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Old Town Church, 2224 15th Ave., in Forest Grove.

Reception to follow services in the church hall.

Rite of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 1, 2019, at Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River, Idaho.

Reception following the graveside services held at the Village Kitchen in Priest River.

Gene was born on May 31, 1949, in Newport, Wash. He was born to Gene Sr. and Leatrice (Baker) Nelson and was raised in and around Priest River. Gene shared his wonderful life with his four siblings, Dick, Tom, Carol and Ernie. He attended Priest River High School and graduated with the class of 1967. Gene then moved to Oregon, working as a laborer in the construction industry.

He met his wife, Betsy Lee Belwood, while in high school. They were high school sweethearts and married on December 16, 1967, in Sandpoint, Idaho. They first settled in the Beaverton, Ore., area while Gene continued to work in construction. In the early years they moved around and started their family in 1969 in Arlington, Wash., with the birth of their daughter, Amanda. They returned to Oregon where Gene worked on the Freemont Bridge, prior to starting his apprenticeship in the electrical trade in 1974. They remained in the Aloha, Hillsboro area welcoming the births of their son, Christopher, in 1972 and their daughter, Tiffany, in 1978.

Gene started working in construction as a young man. As the years went on Gene was mentored into becoming an electrician by his good friend, Jeff Hawkins. He started his apprenticeship working for AB Electric and the Schlottmann family and co-workers soon became lifelong friends. In 1983, Gene and Betsy returned home to Sand-point, starting Sundown Electric Co. They felt blessed to have their work and be surrounded by family and friends while in Idaho. Their business eventually returned to Oregon in 1990, focusing on the electrical installation of traffic signals, street lighting and detection loops.

Gene was a passionate boss, embracing his Sundown crew as family. In fact, often they were family, his son, daughter, brothers, brothers-in-law, son-in-law and nephews, all worked at Sundown at one time or another. He wanted to see each of them succeed in their career and personal lives.

Gene semi-retired in 2016, going to work for Global Electric as a consultant. Gene was still working as a consultant until his battle with cancer returned in April.

He enjoyed boating, traveling, golfing and music. You could often find him dancing in the kitchen with Betsy. Gene, most of all, enjoyed time with family and friends and interacting with his children and grandchildren. He loved holidays and the times they were all together under one roof. Gene was a passionate Oregon football fan, loving both the Beavers and the Ducks, unless they played each other. Then he was a Beaver fan only.

Gene was a handyman and was always tinkering around to improve things around the home. His family and friends often say, “how would Gene do it.” Gene loved being a grandpa and was a big part of their lives whether it be investing time learning to ride horses and clean stalls or being the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines, he was present.

His newest passion with Betsy,was traveling in their RV and visiting throughout California and Arizona, meeting up with family and friends along the way. Gene was a man who demonstrated the love of God to family, friends and co-workers. He enjoyed his times of worship and his Rock Creek family. Gene went on several mission trips to Africa and was committed to helping those near and afar.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gene C. Nelson; and his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Kaie Nelson; and his son-in-law, Todd Davies.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betsy, and their children and spouses, Amanda Davies of Forest Grove, Christopher and Tanya Nelson of Beaverton, Tiffany and Damien McDivitt of Tacoma, Wash.; his grandchildren, Shelby and Taylor (husband Rudy), Kylan and Molly, Addison and Greyson, Megan (husband Shawn), Slater (wife Mariah), Tyler and Cooper; and his great-grandchildren, Hudson, Lennon and Little Rudy.

The family suggest donations in Gene’s name to the American Cancer Society, Oregon Chapter.

Services provided by Duyck & VanDeHey Funeral Homes, 503-357-8749.