Torlof Peter Nelson

Torlof Peter Nelson (Tory) passed away at home after medical complications with Interstitial Lung Disease. His family was gathered around him when he died on July 31, 2024, at 1:30AM.

Tory was born in Glasgow, Montana on April 05, 1942, to Richard Peter Nelson and Ellen Louise Nelson. When Tory was six months old America entered WWII. His father went to England, serving with the Red Cross for the next four years. While he was away baby Tory and his mother lived with Louise’s mother in Loveland, Colorado. After the war Tory’s parents settled in California, where Tory and his sister, Polly, were raised. His father was a salesman, and his mother was a housewife and mother and later became private secretary to the President of Pepperdine University Law School. During Tory’s early years the Nelson Family lived in Walnut Creek, California. Later they moved to Fullerton, California where Tory graduated from Fullerton High School in 1960. He enrolled at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, following in his father’s footsteps. Tory was graduated from U of I with a BS degree in Business Administration and one year of law school in 1965. He entered the world of finance, spending his entire career in that field and was most fulfilled serving as Vice President in banking. In 1995-1996 he was asked to serve as State President of Oregon Financial Service Association, attending the national convention in Williamsburg, VA. He retired in 2007 but continued to work part-time for the bank until his wife, Maggie, retired from teaching in 2010. Shortly after retirement Tory and Maggie moved to Oregon City to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and four grandchildren. Tory loved to attend the children’s sports events, choir and band concerts and swim with them in his backyard pool. He was a member of Evergreen Investment Club for forty years, enjoyed season tickets to the Oregon Ballet Theater for the past twenty years, swam in his pool everyday throughout the summers and loved being creative in his woodworking hobby.

Tory is survived by his wife Margaret (Maggie) Nelson of 51 years, Son Chad Nelson (deceased), daughter Paige Dewar (David Dewar), four grandchildren, Matthew (deceased), Andrew, Jacob, and Isaiah. Father, Richard Peter Nelson (deceased), Mother Ellen Louise Nelson (deceased), sister Polly Lisnock (diseased) (Joe) and Polly’s three children Jimmy Knox, Debbie Masteller and Michael Knox. 

Tory’s funeral will be held at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, in Oregon City, Oregon on 8/14/24 at 11:00AM, followed by a Reception in the parish hall. Interment will be at Gethsemani Cemetery.

Tory was dearly loved and respected by his family. We will greatly miss him but are happy he is now at home with our Lord.