Orville William Clayton 'Ozzie' Nelson

1907-2003

Memorial services will be held for former 60-year Bishop 
resident Orville Clayton William "Ozzie" Nelson, 95, on 
Saturday, Feb. 15, at the First United Methodist Church at 
205 N. Fowler St. in Bishop at 11 a.m.

Born to John A. Nelson and Johanna Mathinson on May 21, 
1907 in Wilcox, Neb., Mr. Nelson died on Feb. 9, 2003.

The fourth of his parents' five children, Ozzie grew up on 
the Nelson farm in Fort Collins, Colo., where the barn and 
silo are historical landmarks and part of an education city 
park called the Lee Martinez Park. Graduating from Colorado 
State University, he got his teaching credential from Cal 
Poly.

He and his wife Maxine moved from Pasadena in 1942 when he 
was given his dream opportunity, which was a position 
teaching vocational agriculture in Bishop. He started the 
local chapter of the Future Farmers of America.

His 33-year career expanded into coaching football in the 
forties, and track from 1955-1970. Ozzie was very proud of 
the 13 Desert-Inyo League championships that his teams 
achieved. One of the greatest highlights of his career and 
his life took place in 1990 when his former students honored 
his contributions by presenting him with a bronze bust in 
his likeness, which is housed at the Laws Museum 
Schoolhouse.

Ozzie loved everything about living in Bishop, not only the 
opportunity to hunt and fish, but also the relationships he 
developed with people over the years. It was only because 
of their health that they moved from Bishop to San Juan 
Capistrano two years ago.

He will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, 
brother, teacher and friend to all who knew him.

Survivors include wife of 66 years, Maxine; son, Richard 
Nelson; daughter, Tina Russell; sister, Marcella (Sally) 
Wiley Theis; eight grandchildren and five great-
grandchildren.

Private interment will follow at the East Line Street 
Cemetery.

Bishop, Inyo County, California
The Inyo Register - Thursday, February 13, 2003
Page A-2

Permission to post given by the Publisher, Sharon Dare.

Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn