Gaile Wayne Nelson completed his battle with cancer on May 20, 2009. He started his life on October 19, 1932 in Twin Falls, ID the fourth of five children born to Ralph and Fawn Nelson. He spent his youth, along with that of his siblings John, Vern, Dee, and Phyllis, in various Idaho locations. He completed high school and attended Idaho State University graduating with a degree in accounting. He married Iona Mattice, also of Twin Falls ID, on November 22, 1953. He served his country in the Korean War, having seen the arrival of his son Edward Lee before deployment oversees in 1955. He returned to pursue graduate education and his first career as an educator. He taught High School math and accounting in Rupert ID and welcomed the arrival of their son Gary Lynn in 1959. Shortly thereafter, Gaile embarked upon his second and long lasting career with State Farm Insurance in 1962. In the fall of 1964, Gaile and family moved to Salem, OR to accommodate his job in the Northwest Regional Office. Gaile retired from State Farm in 1994 and pursued his love of travel and camping. Those whose paths crossed with Gaile remember him for his passion, strong will, and generosity. Gaile readily took on leadership roles having been president of the “Trailer Tillicums” club for an unprecedented three terms. Gaile’s indomitable spirit and will was evident in his perseverance in overcoming a traumatic amputation of his left hand at age 60. Despite this challenge, he actively pursued his passion for fishing, golf, ocean cruises, and motor-home travel in the western United States. Gaile is survived by his four siblings, wife Iona, son Gary and daughter-in-law Colleen, son Edward and daughter-in-law Carla with grandchildren Andrew (Drew) and Kira. A celebration of Gaile’s life will be held June 6, 2009 at the Salem Elks Lodge #336, 2336 Turner Rd SE, Salem, OR beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Nelson family has established a memorial fund for cancer research in Gaile’s name at the University of California, Irvine and welcome contributions in his memory in lieu of flowers (payable to UC Regents, Attn Krista Hollinger, UC Irvine, Hematology/Oncology Division, 101 The City Drive, Bldg 56, Room 249,Orange CA 92866). The Nelson family wishes to acknowledge the special place of many dear friends in Gaile’s life, but notably Jim & Linda Lamb in these last few years.