Craig Nelson died unexpectedly Nov. 26, 2008 at his home in Lacey. He was 54.

He was born in Viselia, Calif. on March 31, 1954 to Alta and Harold Nelson. Craig was a member of the Tracyton Boy Scouts, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Central Kitsap High School and then became a second-generation Coug at Washington State University, graduating with summa cum laude honors. He then graduated from Stanford Law School where he received his Judis Doctorate.

Craig worked in private practice in Wenatchee until 1991 where he then moved to Centralia and became the city attorney, later becoming the city manager. In 1999, he began working for the department of licensing hearings and interviews unit as a hearing officer and worked his way to administrator of the unit in 2002. During his career he was passionate about many things; he wanted to have more tourists in Centralia. He made the train station beautiful and more tourist-friendly to bring money to the town. President Clinton stopped in Centralia to hand-deliver the grant money. Craig had to borrow caution tape and government vehicles from surrounding cities to satisfy the Secret Service for that visit from President Clinton. While working for the Department of Licensing, Craig achieved many accomplishments to foster relationships with many agencies outside the Department of Licensing, including his receiving a Chief’s 2006 Coin from the Washington State Patrol. Craig was the chair of the city of Wenatchee Planning Commission. From 1985 to 1991 he served as the chairman of the board of trustees at the Wenatchee Valley College. He formerly chaired and was a member of the Collections Board. In 1995, Governor Booth Gardner appointed Craig to the board of Trustees of the Community College District 15. In 2004, he was a member of the Okanogan Conservation District. He was a member at large of the WAIJA and also was a member of the NAIJA.

He contributed to Channel 9 often, he loved to listen to ABBA and Celtic Women, he was a military history buff, he loved working on family genealogy and had a fabulous sense of humor. He was very loved by his family, coworkers and friends. Craig was preceded in death by his father Harold Nelson.

He is survived by his wife Donna of Wenatchee; son Anders Nelson of Wenatchee; mother Alta Nelson of Bremerton; sister Sandra Nelson Peterson of Poulsbo; niece Kimberly (Nash) Purser of Lafayette, La.; and great-niece and -nephew Jordan and Halle Purser. He loved his two kitties, Hobbs and Luthar. A celebration of life is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Lacey Senior Center located at 6757 Pacific Ave., Lacey. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. For questions regarding the services, call Sandra Peterson at (360) 779-2121.