Sonny M. Nelson, 83, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away March 25, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Oregon City to Hank and Molly (McVay) Nelson.

Sonny was raised in Molalla, and then Mill City where he graduated from high school in 1950. His high school sweetheart, Marian King, became his wife on August 20, 1950. They spent their first year in Tillamook, and then moved to Mill City where they lived until 1954 when they moved to Sweet Home.

Sonny started in the timber industry as a bucker. He then bushled for Duncan and Moore, spent several years as a bullbuck for Santiam Lumber, and then ended his career as a logging foreman for Willamette Industries.

He loved the outdoors, fishing , hunting, camping and boating. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes. He and Marian traveled to many different states and countries after retirement and spent a three-month period each year in Palm Springs for the last 23 years.

Sonny became a member of the Sweet Home Elks Lodge the second year after it started, and was also a dedicated volunteer fireman for 15 years.

He is survived by: his wife, Marian; daughtersLinda and husband Ken Postma of Cascade, Idaho, Shirley and husband Jim Tack of Sweet Home, and Nancy and husband Joe Brocard, also of Sweet Home; granddaughters Jennifer, Tami, Traci, Jessica, Lisa, and Sara; and ten great grandchildren. Sonny was preceded in death by: his parents, Hank and Molly Nelson; brother Don; and sister Dorothy,

Family and friends are invited to a graveside service 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 29, at Gilliland Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge. Because of his great love for children and dogs, Sonny’s wishes were for donations to be made in his name to St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Portland and Safe Haven Humane Society in Albany.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.