In Honor of a Dear Friend, Brother, and Colleague; Steve Nelson of Veteran Backflow Service

Beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Stephen Trent Nelson entered into rest on December 30, 2017 after a prolonged illness from cancer. Stephen was the first son born to Major Clayton Jack and Mary Mae Reynolds Nelson on May 20, 1951 in Munich, Germany. As a young child, he lived in Newfoundland and Illinois, and later settled with his family in the Lake City suburb of Tacoma, WA. Steve graduated from Lakes High School in 1969.

At age 19, Stephen joined the U.S. Army and was soon deployed to Vietnam where he served October 5, 1970 to December 4, 1971. During his time there, Steve was a journalist assigned to the Delta Dragons, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Team 96 in Can Tho, Mekong Delta. He rode helicopters all over South Vietnam to investigate stories and wrote articles published in his unit’s newspaper as well as the Stars and Stripes. He was proud and honored to have served his country, like his father and uncles before him.

Although he was a lifelong resident of Washington, Steve traveled throughout the United States upon his honorable discharge in the ‘70s. He hitchhiked cross-country twice, with extended stays in South Carolina and Florida.

For the past several decades, Stephen was the property superintendent for companies in Seattle, Everett, SeaTac and Burien. Since 2011, Steve ran his own successful business, Veteran Backflow Services. He truly loved this job and the camaraderie he found with other entrepreneurs in the industry.

Steve was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Mariners, the Seahawks, the Packers, and the Sonics. He also loved music of all kinds, especially the Beatles. A voracious reader, his home was filled with books of all genres. He had an eye for art, a green thumb, and a loving heart. Stephen will be missed for his many kindnesses, quick smile, and true compassion for others.