Michael lost his heroic fight with cancer on Nov. 29, 2009 in Spokane at the age of 61. He was born March 16, 1948 in Spokane.
In 1966, Michael graduated from John Rogers High School and married his high school sweetheart, Christine English. He served in the U.S. Army for four years, of which the last two years he was stationed in Greece. He earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Idaho as well as an undergraduate degree in accounting.
He had many passions including extensive travel, fine wines, Greek food and culture, antiquing, boating and showing his dogs. His early career started at WSU and the last 22 years were spent at EWU, where he taught accounting as quarterly faculty and was a budget analyst.
Michael was a member of the Washington Federation of State Employees Local #931 where he was vice president, served two terms as president of classified staff, vice president of Bargaining Unit 1 and chief steward. He was also a member of the Statewide WFSED and served on the Statewide Executive Board, the Policy Committee, Grievance Committee and the Finance Committee. He was a Rotary Club member.
Everyone knew him as a compassionate and loving individual, well respected in the community.
Michael was preceded in death by his wife Christine and his mother Dorothy Nelson. He is survived by his father Laurence Nelson of Post Falls, Idaho; his siblings Susan (Mike) Harrison of Spokane, Marilyn (Craig) Smith of Kirkland, Wash., Steven (Loretta) Nelson of Spokane, Greg Nelson of Hawaii, Douglas Nelson of Spokane, and Loretta (Nick) Ducas of New Port Richey, Fla. along with numerous nieces and nephews. He leaves behind many cherished friends.
Special thanks to the loving staff of the Florida Cancer Institute. Extra special thanks to Michael's niece Shawna Benton for her loving hands, who works for the Florida Cancer Institute. She took excellent care of him.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society or the Spokane Humane Society.
A celebration of life ceremony was held Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at Cheney Funeral Chapel.
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