Resident of Alameda

Daniel Anton Nelson, 74, of Alameda, passed away on Friday, February 21st after a 7 year, long and valiant battle with cancer.

Dan was born on September 11th, 1950 to Merritt and Jane Nelson in Redding, California. Dan graduated from Shasta High in 1968. He was agreat athlete as ayoung man and swam butterfly competitively on the swim team with future Olympic stars, and later taught swimming at the Oakland Athletic Club.

In his life, he traveled and worked all over the world.

But his biggest achievements included being a Northern California fire fighter and a teacher at Laurel Elementary, in acareer that spanned over 30 years.

He valued laughter and having fun - His students were multiple times winners of Oakland's Oratorical competitions. And he taught fife playing to many a future musician. He was infamous lover of cooking and creatively shared his knowledge of nutrition with his students.

In 1985, Dan met his loving wife, Brenda of 37 years.

Dan and Brenda were not only husband and wife, but best friends. They supported each other through their best and worst times.

Daniel was predeceased by his mother and father both of whom he loved dearly. He is survived by his two sisters, Deborah and Rebecca, his niece Casey, nephews David, Blair, Macall, Sam, and his loyal and courageous wife, Brenda. His memory will live on through them and so many others who were touched by him in his life.

Dan found peace and joy in his later years writing Haikus. He taught his students how to write them, and shared his own work with many. The following are one of his over 4000 works that we will share with you all: BE KIND Kindness has reward Single act warms you inside Ready for the storm