David Patrick Nelson

David Patrick Nelson, 73, was born in Oakland, California to Margaret (Martinez) and Emory Nelson while his parents were employed at the shipyards during WWII. David succumbed after a lengthy battle with cancer. Upon graduation from Espanola High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He worked in many different states and held many different occupations including Boeing in Seattle, Washington, the pipeline in Alaska, the uranium mines in Grants, NM, Santa Fe Public Schools and Los Alamos National Laboratory. He was preceded in death by his parents Margaret M. Nelson and Emory Nelson, maternal grandparents Matilde and David Martinez of Medanales, NM, paternal grandparents Henrietta and Leon Nelson of Anton Chico, NM, uncle Gilberto Martinez and wife Annette and uncle Salomon Salazar. He is survived by his brother Henry Nelson (Jane), half-siblings Cecilia Adkins (Bill) and Jake and Jerry Nelson, son, Angelo Gallegos of Albuquerque, grandsons Angel and Josiah Gallegos of Albuquerque, aunt Flora Salazar of El Guache, NM and numerous relatives and friends. A viewing will be held Monday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m. at the Rivera Funeral Home Chapel followed by a rosary at 5:30. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Espanola. Burial will follow at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M. immediately after the funeral mass.