Richard Clarence Nielson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard Clarence Nielson was born on April 20, 1928 in Selma California, to Raymond and Anna Marie Nielson. He was an ‘adventurous child’ and lived and worked on the farm and attended grammar schools in Selma and Sacramento and returned to Selma for high school. He attended 1 year at Wheaton College in Illinois and then returned to California to complete his college degree at the University of Southern California in Business/Retail Marketing. He loved big band and swing music, photography and flying. He learned to fly as a young man prior to entering the Air Force in June of 1951 where he served on active duty until June of 1953 and in the AF Reserve until June 1959. He was in flight training and then became an official Air Force photographer until his discharge. While he was stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas, he attended a Baptist church where one evening at a youth social activity, he met the love of his life, Ruth Sledge. They were married in San Angelo in April 1953 and remained married for 56 years until her passing in 2009. They returned to California after they were married and lived briefly on the family farm in Selma and then moved to Visalia in 1954. He worked in retail at Gottschalks and then in sales with Zellerbach Paper Company until he was recruited by Allstate Insurance Company where he worked until he retired in 1990. Throughout their lives, they were active in their church, Visalia First Baptist, and also with Hume Lake Christian Camps. They were involved in music programs, church administration and ‘bravely’ sponsored youth programs when their children were involved. After he retired, he pursued various volunteer activities where he worked with a group of friends to remodel buildings at their church (Visalia First Baptist) and other churches in the valley. He also worked in a variety of capacities at Hume Lake Christian Camps where he assisted with the Leaseholders Association and wherever else he was needed. He loved to play golf and would travel to Arizona every September to accompany his wife who would attend a porcelain art school while he played golf with the other husbands. He is survived by his 3 daughters, Judy, Sharon, and Laura; a son in law, Brian, 2 granddaughters and their spouses, Amanda and Sean with their 2 children, Kennedy and Seamus; and Ashlyn and Jordan with their daughter Mila, and soon to be born baby, Luna. He is also survived by a number of relatives, friends, colleagues and caregivers who will miss his presence, influence and smile. Those are the statistics of his life but they don’t really tell his story… His life was a reflection of how much he loved Jesus. He wasn’t one for talking but he set an example in the way he lived. He loved God, his wife, his family, and his friends. Those were his priorities. Most everyone who knew him, experienced him as kind, funny, curious, thoughtful, smart, humble and with a sweet spirit that drew folks to him. He was always proud of his family and helped create a home that was welcoming. Many meals grew cold because we were too busy laughing to eat! He raised 3 very different daughters and loved and valued each one for their uniqueness and their accomplishments. He loved to be a part of his daughter’s lives and got to know many of their friends and workplaces. Then when his grandkids came along, he entered a whole new realm of joy! His life was all about family and service and following the Biblical principal of considering others better than himself and having a servant’s heart. Matthew 12 teaches that a tree is recognized by its fruit and that a good man brings forth good things out of the good stored up in him. His heart was filled with good and it overflowed on us all. We will miss him but know that he has gone to his reward in glory and we will see him again. We were blessed to be his daughters.  Funeral Services will be held on May 25, 2022 at 2pm at Chapel of the Light, 1620 W. Belmont Ave, Fresno, with a reception following.  A private burial will be held at a later date at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California. Remembrances can be made to Hume Lake Christian Camps via their website at hume.org or mailed to Hume Lake Christian Camps, 5545 E. Hedges, Fresno, CA 93727

Tributes

Richard Clarence Nielson

April 20, 1928 - May 10, 2022