After a prolonged illness, Raymond “Bruce” Nelson passed away on November 13th, 2025 in Mckinleyville, CA, with family by his side. He was able to say goodbye to family and friends before his passing and died on his terms, with courage, dignity and grace.
Bruce was born on November 10, 1944 in Ukiah, CA. He grew up in Potter Valley, CA, where he attended grammar school and high school. Bruce was a three sport star in high school eventually moving onto Humboldt State University where he played freshman football and basketball. He maintained lifelong friendships with those he grew up with. Over the course of his life, Bruce and family would return to Potter Valley Memorial Day Weekend to enjoy the rodeo and reminisce with those very same friends. He was proud to grow up a country boy along the Russian River.
When Bruce was thirteen years old he attended a birthday party in Potter Valley, where he was introduced to a friend’s cousin visiting from the MidWest. It was then and there he met Janet Marie Dycus and fell immediately in love. He often stated he knew he had met the girl he was going to marry that day. True to his heart’s desire, Bruce and Janet maintained a long distance relationship and ultimately married in January of 1965. At the time of his passing, Bruce and Janet had been married for 60 years and in love for 67.
Soon after marriage a new baby was on the way, whereupon, Bruce applied for, and then was accepted into, the academy of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In 1966, baby Eric was born just before Bruce and family were sent to Redwood City for his first CHP assignment. The late 60’s were turbulent times of civil unrest. Bruce was sent to all the major Bay Area riots and it was at a riot in Berkeley that his cheek was shattered by a brick. The unrest faded away and the early years of his career passed by. Soon, sons Ken and Chris were born and the family of five looked to greener pastures. In 1971, Bruce transferred with his family to Humboldt County. Bruce would spend the bulk of the rest of his career in Humboldt. He found his footing as a leader in his job and his community. He excelled in personal relations and the ability to break down complex dynamic situations into workable solutions. Bruce eventually promoted to Sergeant and took great pride in taking care of “his troops”. Bruce retired from the CHP in 1997, after a 31 year career. Bruce’s career achievements and indomitable charisma influenced his sons so much that all three became CHP Officers just like their father.
Bruce and Janet bought a retirement property in Willow Creek, CA, near the Trinity River and together they started their next chapter. Bruce planted a vineyard and built a beautiful country home with a wraparound porch. Within a few years they were bottling and selling their wines while also participating in the local Red Bud Theatre group. Bruce also found time to serve on the Willow Creek Community Services District Board for fifteen years. However, his most successful endeavor was to create an amazing property where friends and family could assemble and visit. It was there that thirteen consecutive family reunions were held with as many as four generations of family present at a time. From his porch Bruce would spend his evenings talking with family and emphasizing just how important family and friends were to creating a rich and successful life. Over the years people would come from far and wide to speak with Bruce on his porch while he dispensed sage wisdom and mentored many young people. He relished deep conversations and making meaningful connections. In his final days Bruce reflected on his life and said he wouldn’t change a thing, doing it all over again just as he had. He believed not in material wealth or accumulated possessions but rather, in the value of family, living in the present, and enjoying the lasting echo of how he made people feel.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorna Nelson. He is survived by brothers Scott (Maggie) McKinleyville CA, Mike (Janice) Concord CA, Pete (Chris) Richvale CA, and former sister-in-law Naomi Abbott (Milt) McKinleyville CA. By sons Eric (Donna, Taylor, Carly) Willow Creek CA, Ken (Meredith, Jackson, Joseph) El Dorado Hills CA, and Chris (Christina, Madyson) Arcata CA. As well as many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Bruce has chosen a celebration of life to take place in Potter Valley, CA, on Memorial Day Weekend, 2026. The family would like to thank the staff at Timber Ridge Mckinleyville for their tireless assistance and comfort. We would also like to thank the staff of Hospice of Humboldt for their incredible assistance through this difficult time. Please consider a donation in Bruce’s honor to Hospice of Humboldt.
Bruce was born on November 10, 1944 in Ukiah, CA. He grew up in Potter Valley, CA, where he attended grammar school and high school. Bruce was a three sport star in high school eventually moving onto Humboldt State University where he played freshman football and basketball. He maintained lifelong friendships with those he grew up with. Over the course of his life, Bruce and family would return to Potter Valley Memorial Day Weekend to enjoy the rodeo and reminisce with those very same friends. He was proud to grow up a country boy along the Russian River.
When Bruce was thirteen years old he attended a birthday party in Potter Valley, where he was introduced to a friend’s cousin visiting from the MidWest. It was then and there he met Janet Marie Dycus and fell immediately in love. He often stated he knew he had met the girl he was going to marry that day. True to his heart’s desire, Bruce and Janet maintained a long distance relationship and ultimately married in January of 1965. At the time of his passing, Bruce and Janet had been married for 60 years and in love for 67.
Soon after marriage a new baby was on the way, whereupon, Bruce applied for, and then was accepted into, the academy of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In 1966, baby Eric was born just before Bruce and family were sent to Redwood City for his first CHP assignment. The late 60’s were turbulent times of civil unrest. Bruce was sent to all the major Bay Area riots and it was at a riot in Berkeley that his cheek was shattered by a brick. The unrest faded away and the early years of his career passed by. Soon, sons Ken and Chris were born and the family of five looked to greener pastures. In 1971, Bruce transferred with his family to Humboldt County. Bruce would spend the bulk of the rest of his career in Humboldt. He found his footing as a leader in his job and his community. He excelled in personal relations and the ability to break down complex dynamic situations into workable solutions. Bruce eventually promoted to Sergeant and took great pride in taking care of “his troops”. Bruce retired from the CHP in 1997, after a 31 year career. Bruce’s career achievements and indomitable charisma influenced his sons so much that all three became CHP Officers just like their father.
Bruce and Janet bought a retirement property in Willow Creek, CA, near the Trinity River and together they started their next chapter. Bruce planted a vineyard and built a beautiful country home with a wraparound porch. Within a few years they were bottling and selling their wines while also participating in the local Red Bud Theatre group. Bruce also found time to serve on the Willow Creek Community Services District Board for fifteen years. However, his most successful endeavor was to create an amazing property where friends and family could assemble and visit. It was there that thirteen consecutive family reunions were held with as many as four generations of family present at a time. From his porch Bruce would spend his evenings talking with family and emphasizing just how important family and friends were to creating a rich and successful life. Over the years people would come from far and wide to speak with Bruce on his porch while he dispensed sage wisdom and mentored many young people. He relished deep conversations and making meaningful connections. In his final days Bruce reflected on his life and said he wouldn’t change a thing, doing it all over again just as he had. He believed not in material wealth or accumulated possessions but rather, in the value of family, living in the present, and enjoying the lasting echo of how he made people feel.
Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorna Nelson. He is survived by brothers Scott (Maggie) McKinleyville CA, Mike (Janice) Concord CA, Pete (Chris) Richvale CA, and former sister-in-law Naomi Abbott (Milt) McKinleyville CA. By sons Eric (Donna, Taylor, Carly) Willow Creek CA, Ken (Meredith, Jackson, Joseph) El Dorado Hills CA, and Chris (Christina, Madyson) Arcata CA. As well as many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Bruce has chosen a celebration of life to take place in Potter Valley, CA, on Memorial Day Weekend, 2026. The family would like to thank the staff at Timber Ridge Mckinleyville for their tireless assistance and comfort. We would also like to thank the staff of Hospice of Humboldt for their incredible assistance through this difficult time. Please consider a donation in Bruce’s honor to Hospice of Humboldt.
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