Wayne R. Nelson

Wayne R. Nelson, long time resident of Santa Barbara passed away February 11, 2022 in Santa Barbara. Born August 28, 1935 in Dallas Wisconsin to Melvin and Clara Nelson. He grew up on their dairy farm and after high school joined the Marine Corps, was stationed in San Francisco where he met his wife Ada Smith. Following his service- of which he was very proud they relocated to Santa Barbara where he started his career as a court reporter for Judge C. Douglas Smith in Superior Court. Later he had a deposition business and also worked in Judge Slater’s court.

He loved running and participated in many local races, did a number of marathons, the nine trail run and successfully completed the fifty mile American river run.

He ran daily and later walked miles every day until he could no longer which was, a few months before his demise. .Wayne was well known in the legal and running communities. He was a good and honest man, with high principles and a great respect for the rule of law.

He was pre-deceased by his sister Shirley Thuftin of Minneapolis in 2021.

He is survived by his children Peter Nelson, commercial fisherman of Morro Bay, daughter Dawn Nelson of Santa Barbara, former wife of 25 years Ada Nelson with whom he remained good friends, also brothers Gary Nelson of La Crosse ,Wisconsin, Gene Nelson of Sparta, Wisconsin.

He was truly loved and will be very much missed by his family.