Donald Charles Nelson

Donald Charles Nelson, age 84, beloved husband of Patricia, died suddenly in his sleep at his vacation home in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Don was born in Akron, Ohio on December 1, 1926 to Harry and Anna Nelson, and was the second of two boys, with his older brother being Victor Nelson.

Don was a graduate of Buchtel High school and went on to attend the University of Akron, where he graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Business Administration and an MS in Business Administration Management. He was a member and lifelong supporter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He served in the

U.S. Navy as an air crewman and was trained as a mechanic gunner.

Don had a knack and a gift for business starting in his early teenage years when he sold old artificial flowers to people in the neighborhood much to the horror of his mother. In the service he had a dance orchestra and imported liquor from wet Texas into dry Oklahoma. In 1952, he started the Putt-R-Golf miniature golf business, and eventually moved it out to Montrose, where he had purchased a 30-acre plot of land that eventually was developed into the premier recreational location including Montrose Swim Club, the largest outdoor heated swimming pool in Ohio, along with tennis courts, and a miniature golf course. He later owned Highlander Driving Range in North Hill and built and owned Highlander Driving Range at Ridgewood/Miller in Fairlawn. From those ventures, the SGD - Sporting Goods Discount Company was created as a nationwide supply source for equipment for miniature golf courses, driving ranges, golf courses and parks and camp grounds.

Don was an avid Lutheran all his life and was also a long time member and supporter of the Rotary Club of Akron, where he was president in 1991-1992. The Rotary Camp for people with special needs was one of his most special lifelong interests, along with Goodwill where he served in many capacities, donating great amounts of his time. Don also donated much of his time as a Business Counselor at Score from 2005 till now.

Preceded in death by his mother and father, Anna and Harry Nelson; his brother, Dr. Victor Nelson; and his grandson Adam Wilson; Don is survived by his wife of 30 years, Patricia; his seven children; Jeff Alexis, Debbie Wallis, David Susanna, Julie, Jill Karl, Dede, and Drew; twelve grandchildren, Jeff Kathy, David Jessica, Jason Brigitte, and Justin Olivia Schlosser, Erin Wilson, Kristin Josh, Kyle, and Katey Hoffman, Evan and Chase Nelson, McKenzie Beynon and Alexandria Jeanne Nelson; great grand-children, Jaiden and Ava Schlosser, Tracy Jeanne Schlosser, Gabriella Gubits and Davis Shaw Schlosser. He is also survived by step-children, Kathleen Darrell Snyder, Rebecca Paradis, Cynthia Tackovich; step-grandson JJ Sampson; and step grand-children, Rachel Strang Matt, Cody Snyder Leanne, Michael Tackovich and Tabitha Davis, and step great grandchildren, Sawyer Snyder, Payton, Joey and Ava Davis.

Calling hours will be Sunday, November 6, 2011 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., with the funeral service following on Monday, November 7 at 12 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Rt. 18 in Medina, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3355 Medina Rd., Medina, OH 44256, or Akron Rotary Camp in memory of Donald C. Nelson.

Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel