Obituary of Philip Eugene Nelson

Philip Eugene Nelson passed away at the age of 85 on January 15, 2025. He was born February 22, 1939, to Iris and Hilder Nelson, and by the time he was one, he was known for liking people better than toys. Philip and his younger brother Larry grew up helping their parents in their grocery store in Palermo. When Philip was two, his mom stepped away from the meat grinder to help a customer. Philip decided to experiment with the meat grinder – and lost his right hand. He often claimed the reason his writing was a bit messy was because he was right handed. At the store, Philip had a steady supply of Pepsi and Hostess cupcakes. He never lost his love of Pepsi! He grew up having adventures on the streets of Palermo with his closest childhood friends, Richard Hill and Bruce Bechtol, and they picked on Larry who just wanted to follow along. Philip and Larry both played trumpet, and Philip played in band, sang in the Glee Club and he participated in cross country and track in high school. When he got older, Philip also worked with Boy Scouts and became a scoutmaster.

Philip attended Chico State University where he attained his degree in biology. He eventually left the Palermo Grocery and started to work for Butte County Office of Environmental Health as a registered sanitarian. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter; answering calls for both fires and medical aids and eventually became the volunteer fire chief. In all his jobs – whether at the grocery store, or fighting fires, inspecting restaurants or leech lines, Philip’s passion was to help people, especially his people.

Philip’s main people were his family. In 1968, Philip married JoAnn Nelson and became dad to Sheri Rice Gaebe and Brad Rice, and later Karena Nelson Tilson and Kristi Nelson Wolcott came along. They grew up surrounded by his steady, loving presence, his sense of humor and wit, his work in the garden – he especially loved roses, and his love for animals. Philip helped his kids with countless math assignments, science projects, drove to almost every band function, and helped with fundraisers. When his grandkids came along, he loved to support them with hugs, smooches, playing with power tools, and also attending their performances whenever he could.

Philip loved Jesus and his church family. He helped with various projects at the churches he attended over the years. He will be especially missed every Christmas Eve when he would read Luke 2 to the family. A few years ago in addition to Luke 2, he read a poem and especially wanted to encourage all present to put their faith in Christ because we are all sinners and need salvation, life is short and eternity is long.

Philip is survived by his wife, JoAnn, his children Sheri (Dan) Gaebe, Brad (Dian) Rice, Karena (Kevin) Tilson, and Kristina (Ron) Wolcott, grandchildren Jeremy Anaya, Steven Anaya, Johnathan Anaya, Kay-Cee Bowen, Kirsten Gaebe, Curtis Rice, Sahsha Rice, Kole Tilson and Kade Tilson. He has 23 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Dorothy) Nelson and nephew, Dane Nelson.

His Funeral Service will be held:

Wednesday January 22, 2025,

10:00 a.m., at Calvary Baptist Church, 2377 Foothill Blvd, in Oroville. 

Graveside service will follow at:

Memorial Park Cemetery, 5646 Lincoln Blvd in Oroville.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877