PALM DESERT, CA – Lee Nelson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Christmas Day, 1934. Lee passed away in his sleep Sunday morning, May 20th.
Lee was the founding principal and owner of Nelson & Associates located in Santa Fe Springs. Lee got his start in the electrical industry with a job at Wisconsin Electric Power Company. He moved on to work at Paragon Electric in Two Rivers, WI, serving as a product manager. Eventually he became a regional manager which required Lee to move his family to California. A few years later, he put together a proposal to become the Paragon Rep for Southern California. Slowly but surely, a line card was filled and the business grew.
Lee was married to JoAnne Nelson more than 50 years until her passing in 2008. Together they raised 4 children: Kurt Nelson, Kathy Nelson-Groff, Todd Nelson and Lisa Nelson-Moore. Lee and JoAnne shared in their joy over their 6 grandchildren: Joann Groff-Gillett, Katherine Groff-Dickelman, Thomas Nelson Groff (Kathy), Brooke Emily Nelson (Todd), Madelynn JoAnne Moore and Lillian Jean Moore (Lisa). Lee later remarried in 2013 to Darlene Nelson who preceded him in death.
Lee will be cremated and placed in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery with his wife JoAnne.
