- Date Of Birth: April 18, 1944
- Date Of Death: August 8, 2015
- State: Idaho
Carroll “Wayne” Nelson
Carroll “Wayne” Nelson, 71, of American Falls, Idaho passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, August 8, 2015.
He was born in the spring of 1944 in Pocatello, Idaho to Carroll Wendal Nelson and Helen Ruth Shaw.
Carroll and Helen moved their family to Lava Hot Springs and after a short stay there, they moved to Blackfoot, Idaho. Later on, when Wayne was still young, they moved to a small, cattle ranch on the Snake River in Blackfoot, Idaho. It was there he became attracted to the cowboy way of life with its rich history and colorful characters.
Wayne joined the military, as did many during the Vietnam War, and served in the Air Force for three years.
Upon his return to Blackfoot, Wayne met his first wife, Cecily Salinas. They were married in 1965 and were soon blessed with four children. Wayne married Becky Lewis in 1980, and they would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on the day of his passing.
Wayne was a loyal employee of the Simplot Don plant for about 30 years. He was fondly known to his fellow employees as CW (CDub). Wayne retired in 2001.
Wayne played guitar and wrote music and songs for most of his life. He played in a few bands but enjoyed creating his own music and had a very successful solo career. He spent his retirement traveling all over the West including Elko, Nevada and Kamloops, British Columbia, doing what he loved most, playing music and entertaining.
He was well-known in the world of Cowboy Poetry, where he was known as “Snake River Wayne.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Becky; sister, Rosie Stech, Boise; brother, LaVal Nelson, Hardin, Montana; children, Abbigail (Robert) Toland, Scappoose, Oregon; Mercy Nelson, Pocatello; Wayne (Tanya) Nelson, Pocatello; and Erik Nelson, Big Sky, Montana; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Nancy Beach.
