Derek Ralph Nelson

Derek Ralph Nelson, 44, formerly of La Grande, died at home surrounded by family and friends July 9.

Services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Tacoma Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on South 12th and Pearl in Tacoma. Following services and a reception, burial will be at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor.

Derik was born Dec. 17, 1962 to Ralph and Sharon Nelson in Provo, Utah. He grew up in La Grande and graduated from La Grande High School in 1981. After serving a mission for his church in Buenos Aires, Derek met Heidi Hamilton while attending Brigham Young University and they married on Aug. 17, 1985.

Derek earned a master's degree in accounting in 1987 and served as a CPA in the Seattle area for several years before becoming a senior vice-president at Key Bank. He was active in his church and community and was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts. Derek was an Eagle Scout.

Survivors include Derek's wife, Heidi; their children, Ryan, Stephanie, Lara, Hannah, Nathan and Spencer; father, Ralph, and three sisters, Kathleen Hutchinson, Phyllis Anderson and Barbara Spencer.