Arthur "Leon" Nelson

Arthur "Leon" Nelson, age 87 of Covina, California died on August 25, 2015 at the Masonic Homes of Covina. He was born in 1928 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Leon enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately upon graduation from high school and was honorably discharged in 1948. Following his time in the military, he attended Tulane University and ultimately graduated with a Degree in Horology from Bradley University. Lois and Leon were married in 1951 and during the first several years of their married life, Leon owned and operated jewelry stores, first in Blanchardville and then in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Their daughter Gayle Lynn was born in 1967 and shortly thereafter Leon sold his jewelry business and became a professional Boy Scout executive. Here he found his true calling, encouraging the young scouts and their adult volunteers, and overseeing tremendous growth in each district where he was involved. The family moved to California in 1971, and other than a few brief years in Arizona, this state has remained his home. In 1977 he became a real estate agent and finished out his career as part of a real estate investment and construction partnership. Leon and Lois retired to Palm Springs in 1989 and moved to the Masonic Home at Covina in 2004. During his retirement Leon remained active as a volunteer chaplain for the Boy Scouts of America.

Leon was initiated into the Masonic Order in 1951 in Dodgeville Lodge #119. He and Lois became members of the Order of the Eastern Star the following year. Leon served as Worshipful Master of Aurora Lodge #30 while residing in Plymouth, Wisconsin. He also served as Worthy Patron in the Order of the Eastern Star several times in both Wisconsin (1960 – Loyalty Chapter #118, Plymouth) and California (1996 & 2001 – Palm Springs Chapter #576; 2009 – Arcadia Chapter #299; 2015 - Arcadia Pasadena Chapter #108). The Grand Chapter of California, OES appointed Leon as Grand Representative of Ontario, Canada in California from 1999 to 2001 and in 1994 he was honored with the OES Ritual Achievement Award and the OES Service Award. The Masonic award most precious to him was bestowed in 2011, when Leon received the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, recognizing outstanding Masons who are sharing their Masonic principles with young people by active participation in the Scouting program.

Leon was an active member of Lorraine Avenue Baptist Church and filled in as chaplain for the Masonic Home from time to time over the years. His faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior was evident to all those who knew him. Leon was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Lois, his daughter Gayle Lynn, son-in-law Phil, grandson John Leon (17 yrs), granddaughter Nicole Renee (14 yrs), sister Dorothy and brother Ken. John recently completed his Eagle Scout requirements and will be dedicating his award to his grandpa.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday morning, October 24, 2015 at New Hope Lutheran church (formerly Blanchardville Lutheran) in Blanchardville. A brief prayer service will follow at 10:00 AM in the church, followed by a graveside committal service in the Graceland Cemetery. Rev. Margo Martens is officiating. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family.