March 7, 1952 - July 13, 2026

It all started when Paul was born on March 7, 1952, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to William H and Jean Nelson. His family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, when he was about a year old, so he claims his status as a native. He grew up alongside his younger brother John and his younger sister, Jane.

He attended Tope Elementary School, where his energy and curiosity were on full display. One day, his mother drove by and found him running laps in the schoolyard with no other kids or teachers in sight. Upon speaking to the school, she discovered Paul’s teacher had sent him out to burn off some energy while class was in session.

Paul loved the outdoors. He was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout. He had fond memories of family ski trips in Aspen and was a talented and graceful skier. It’s possible you’ve heard him whistling his way down Bill’s Run at Powderhorn. He also loved mountain biking and hitting the trails with his buddies.

He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1970. He was a member of the German Club.

At CU Boulder, he received a business degree while galavanting around with his pals. During the summers, he was a counselor at Sandborn Western Camps and made many lifelong friends.

A lover of a good shenanigan, he and a group of friends cooked up an elaborate scheme to rename the desert bordering the Grand Mesa and the San Juan Mountains. They dubbed the area the Stinking Desert National Monument, named after a quote purportedly said by Father Francisco Domingues “No one in their right mind would live in this stinking desert.” In this scheme, Paul was known as Elmo Meps, and the group went as far as having official-looking “Stinking Desert” signs posted and “brochures” for visitors. This is one of many examples of his specific brand of humor, which required unparalleled commitment to the bit.

He always wanted a career in aviation, with his first experience in a cockpit at age 11. As a young adult, it would only take him 2 ½ months to get his pilot’s license. However, at the time, joining the military was the most viable path to getting a job as a pilot, but he didn’t join because he opposed the Vietnam War. He had jobs at both the Stapleton and Grand Junction Airports, working in advertising and on the line crew. When it was time to pivot, he attended night classes and started a long career in real estate. He spent 40 years with Coldwell Banker as a realtor/broker. He was known around town in real estate and by his friends as “Pablo Nelsoni”.

Paul had an encyclopedic knowledge of planes, trains, and automobiles. Those who spent time around Paul knew he could hear a plane in the distance and immediately tell you the exact model and probably the altitude and direction, too.

He married his first wife, Jill Brownson, in 1986. They welcomed their daughter, Emily, in 1989. Jill passed away in 1991, leaving Paul to navigate as a single father. With the support of family and friends, he did an excellent job getting Emily off on the right foot.

He was appointed to the Mesa County Planning Commission in 1981, followed by two terms on City Council.

He would later meet Robin Carpenter while she worked at City Hall. Their first date was skiing on New Years Day and they married in August 1993, leading to Robin legally adopting Emily. Robin gave birth to Nyx in 1997, completing their family. After marrying Robin, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he chaperoned many youth events and even a mission trip to Peru.

Thanks to Paul’s mother, Jean, the extended family would take many incredible international trips ranging from Europe to Tahiti. Travel and navigation were among Paul’s many interests. When early consumer model GPS systems came out, you could often find Paul on the cruise ship with one hand in the air, looking for a signal. This would later be known as “the pose”.

His public service continued on the Riverfront Commission, where he was instrumental in the erection of the pedestrian bridge and park connecting Orchard Mesa to the Riverfront Trail and the Eagle Rim Park. He also played a large role in the Riverfront Concert Series.

He dabbled in photography, winning an award in Parade Magazine for his stunning nighttime shot of the Hale-Bopp Comet, above the lone tree in the Stinking Desert.

He served several years on the Juvenile Parole Board.

As a member of over 50 years of the Redlands Rotary Club, he won the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Donor Recognition Award from Rotary International.

Paul was on the JUCO World Series Committee and loved attending games and helping to host team barbecues as part of the Redlands Rotary.

Aligning with his love of aviation, he served several years on the Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority.

After retiring from real estate, he drove rental cars for Avis. He loved making the drive from Grand Junction to Denver International Airport and enjoyed the camaraderie of the drivers. Unfortunately, his health did not allow him to continue driving, and over several years, his dementia reduced his mobility and independence, though he still managed to travel to Cape Cod, Alaska, Durango, and more during those final years. His spirits remained high, and even through many memory and health challenges, he was a beloved resident at Western Slope Memory Care where he continued to make people laugh until his final days.

Thank you to the caring staff at Western Slope Memory Care, Abode Hospice, Senior Day Break, and all the other caregivers and friends who helped Paul during the last part of his journey.

Paul passed away peacefully on July 13th after cherished visits from family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Robin Nelson; his daughters Emily Nelson (Evan Trembley) and Nyx Fenn; his granddaughters Evelyn Trembley and Emerson Trembley; his sister, Jane Foster; and his dog Toby. He is preceded in death by his parents, William H. Nelson and Jean Nelson, and his brother, John Nelson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 1:30 PM at The Grand Valley Oasis at 535 Hoover Dr, Grand Junction, CO 81504.