Stanley Nelson Jr. founded automobile-dealership dynasty

Stanley Nelson Jr. needed $2,000 to buy the tiny Chevrolet dealership in Sedro-Woolley in 1938 that would launch his career in the automobile business, but he worried about borrowing so much money from the bank.

He walked around the block for a few hours, thinking things over, and then made his decision.

He applied for a loan that was twice what he needed, then paid half of it back within a couple of weeks — his strategy for establishing good credit as he began his business.

At 23, he became one of the youngest Chevrolet dealers of his time and ultimately directed a family enterprise that includes car dealerships in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood and in Bellevue, Lynnwood and Burlington, Skagit County.

Mr. Nelson died Friday (Aug. 24) in Seattle of heart and kidney failure. He was 86.

He was born and raised in Ballard, graduating from Ballard High School in 1934. He also attended the University of Washington. He seemed to have transportation and business savvy in his blood, recalled his youngest daughter, Pam.

His grandfather and great-grandfather had immigrated to Ballard from Sweden and eventually set up a business renting horses and buggies that made trips between Ballard and downtown Seattle. Mr. Nelson grew up working at his father's business, Nelson Chevrolet in Ballard.

As young men, he and his brother, Fred, made a summertime business out of renting paddle boats they built themselves to use on lakes around the region.

Eventually, Mr. Nelson moved north to open Nelson Motors in Sedro-Woolley. He spent 20 years there, expanding with Nelson Motors in Bellingham in 1957. He met his wife-to-be, Ann Stiles, in Sedro-Woolley, and they married in 1947.

In 1958, his father retired, and Mr. Nelson moved back to Ballard to take over the dealership.

He eventually helped his four children get car dealerships. Relatives own Acura of Bellevue, Lynnwood Honda and Foothills Pontiac-Buick-Toyota in Burlington. His three daughters later bought the Ballard dealership, which is now Three Sisters Nelson Chevrolet.

As a businessman, Mr. Nelson was known for being direct, compassionate with his employees and savvy about finances. He followed through on his commitments and acted as a mentor, Pam Nelson said.

He was also known as a prankster and an adventurer. At 18, he learned to fly a floatplane, which he once flew under the Aurora Bridge. He also loved his 100-acre Foothills Farm in Sedro-Woolley, where he raised cattle and horses and spent time with his family. He was also active in a Thoroughbred-breeding business.

Mr. Nelson and his wife owned a 40-foot motor home and often took their grandchildren with them on trips. In years that the University of Washington Huskies played in the Rose Bowl, he would pack the vehicle with family and head south for the game.

"He's given the grandkids a sense of strength and forthrightness and integrity," said Pam Nelson. "I think at important milestones in their lives, they'll think, `What would Papa do?' "

Mr. Nelson retired in the early 1970s, but he never really left the business. Five days a week, he started the day at his office in Ballard, "where he constantly gave me advice, and most of it was very, very good," recalled a son, Stanley Nelson III. Then he made the rounds of the three other dealerships either in person or by phone.

Mr. Nelson was a civic leader in both Ballard and Sedro-Woolley, involved with the Ballard Rotary and Elks, the Sedro-Woolley Lions Club and the Skagit County Sheriff's Posse, among other groups.

He is survived by his wife; his brother; a sister, Bliss Miller; his four children, Pam, Stanley, Barbara VanDeGrift and Fredricka Bolinger; 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Mr. Nelson's life will be at Foothills Farm at 2 p.m. Monday. Call Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. For directions, call 360-855-1288.

Remembrances may be sent to Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, the UW Medical Center or the Multiple Sclerosis Society.