Robert "Kent" Nelson Obituary (1944 - 2021)

Robert Kent Nelson (Kent), 77, formerly of Baker City, passed away Friday, June 4, 2021, at Polidori Hospice Care House in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Under the direction of Gray's West & Company Pioneer Chapel, a memorial service will be held on August 14, 11:00 AM at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane, Baker City, Oregon. Kent was born to Robert and Katherine Nelson on January 10, 1944, in Baker, Oregon. He was raised on the family ranch near Hereford. As the fourth generation to raise cattle on the Nelson C-C Ranch, he held a deep love for his heritage, the beautiful land, ranch life, the horses and cattle, his family, and the God who provided them all. He told people that ranching was the only thing he ever wanted to do. After graduation from Hereford High School, he went on to study Rangeland Management and Agribusiness at Yakima Valley Community College in Yakima, Washington. On September 11, 1965, Kent married Anita Marie Langley of Huntington, Oregon. The couple raised two sons, Mark Kent and Robert Matthew. A special joy was to add Suski Lehtisalo, an exchange student from Finland, to the family in 1988. Kent's dedication to his family, his ranch, and his heritage flowed naturally into the community where he served a total of ninety-seven years on various committees and boards. These included the Burnt River Soil Conservation District, Burnt River School District, Oregon, and Baker County Cattlemen, Burnt River Weed District, Farmers Home Administration Loan Committee, Western States Junior Rodeo, and Baker City Church of the Nazarene board. Kent's faith in God was demonstrated in Bible study, church involvement, and was shared beyond local communities with three Work and Witness trips to Central America and Eastern Europe. Kent's gift of hospitality shone brightest during hunting season when family and friends were welcomed to the ranch for deer and elk hunting. But for fifty-four years in a row, hunting took a back seat to the Pendleton Round-Up Rodeo in mid-September. Saddles, bits, spurs, knives, and big game trophy mounts were collected with zeal. Kent's all-time favorite, however, was the collecting and trading of hunting rifles and pistols. Few calibers and makes escaped his collection over the years. After years of calving season blizzards, relentless labor, and narrow escapes from ornery cows, Kent retired from ranching and moved to Baker City. Much to the surprise of his family, he took up golf and bought an 18 wheeler. For the next ten years, he hauled hay and farm equipment from Canada to Mexico, listening to hymns by Christy Lane and Tennessee Ernie Ford to keep himself awake. Kent and Anita began spending winters in the warmer climate of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was there on December 26, 2019, where Kent suffered severe head trauma in an accident. The resulting care he required was provided by Havasu Nursing Center until God took him home. With celebration of his life and in loving memory, Kent is survived by his wife, Anita, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; his twin sister Karen and husband Bill Greeley of Wilsonville, Oregon; his son Mark and wife Billie Jo, with grandchildren Kathryn and Robert of Kuna, Idaho; and his son Matthew and wife Anusha, with grandchildren Emilie and Edouard of London, England. Those who wish may contribute to Burnt River Community Church, or to Northeast Oregon Compassion Center through Gray's West & Company, 1500 Dewey Ave, Baker City, Oregon 97814.