Rex E. Nelsen, 85, died at Home Place Special Care Center, Oak Harbor, on Sept. 8, 2008. He was born May 6, 1923, in San Diego to Harry E. and Miriam H. (Miller) Nelsen.

Rex enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 in his junior year of high school, but was allowed to completed high school before entering active duty. He served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12), one of the most highly decorated ships in the naval fleet. He was involved in many of the battles in the South Pacific, including the Battle of Midway Island and Santa Cruz.

Rex remained on active duty following World War II and returned to the states. He was assigned duty in Oakland, Calif., where he met a young WAVE, Barbara Winters, who was also stationed in Oakland. They were married on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, at the home of Barbara’s mother in Pacific Grove, Calif.

Their son Rex was born in Oakland in 1950. In 1952, Rex was sent unaccompanied to Guam. Barbara was pregnant with their second child and could not travel. Daughter Barbara was delivered at Fort Ord, Calif., and soon after the family was enroute to Guam. Next stop for the Nelsen family was San Diego, where daughter Celeste was born. From there, they were sent to China Lake.

In 1960, Rex was assigned to NAS Whidbey Island and the family made Oak Harbor home. Rex was an aviation mechanic for the A-6 and EA6B. NAS Whidbey was his shore duty station for the remainder of his military service with several more cruises to the Pacific. He retired in 1972 as an E-9 with 30 years of service, having served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Rex began a second government service career, working for the U.S. Postal Service at the Oak Harbor office. After 15 more years of service with the post office, he retired for the second time.

Rex’s first love was his family. He enjoyed reading about our various wars, especially the Civil War and also studying military aircraft. He loved to travel. He and Barbara enjoyed traveling the Northwest by car and he especially liked finding new places to have biscuits and gravy.

Rex is survived by three children: Barbara Johnson and husband Larry of Coupeville; Rex Nelsen and wife Suzanne of Jeffersonton, Va., and Celeste Nelsen of Everett. Six grandchildren Jessica Addis and husband Justin of Oak Harbor, Christopher Johnson of Bellingham, Brita, Victoria, Miriam and Rex E. Nelsen, one great-grandson Noah Paine, all of Jeffersonton, Va., and one sister Helene M. Arnott of Jamel, Calif., also survive. His wife Barbara Nelsen preceded him in death.

A gathering for family and friends will be held Saturday, Sept. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. Cremation will follow with burial at sea under the auspices of the U.S. Navy. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.