Thomas G. Nelson died peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones, on May 4, 2011.
Tom was born in Idaho Falls on November 14, 1936, to Donald and Margaret Nelson. He attended public schools in Idaho Falls, graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1955.
Tom attended the University of Idaho, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and received his LL.B. in 1962. To help put himself through college he worked alongside his father, building roads in Idaho.
Tom married Ella Lee McPherson in April of 1960 and they had two sons. He and Ella later divorced. Tom extended his family in 1982 when he married Sharon Cutler who has two beautiful children.
He served in the Idaho Air National Guard and US Army Reserve from 1962-1968. He worked in Boise as an assistant Attorney General for criminal affairs from 1963-1965. In 1965 Tom joined Parry, Robertson, Daly and Larsen in Twin Falls and founded the law firm Nelson, Rosholt, Tolman, and Tucker in 1979.
In 1990, Tom was confirmed by the US Senate as a judge in the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a member of many professional associations, including president of the Idaho State Bar from 1974-1975. Also active in the community, Tom served on the Twin Falls City Council and as a director of the local United Way.
He chaired citizen committees that established a temporary shelter for non-delinquent children and a facility providing special services to children with developmental disabilities. During the course of his legal career, Tom never stopped thinking and learning, which contributed to his ability to put aside preconceived notions and come to reasoned conclusions.
Throughout his life Tom cherished the outdoors. He was an avid photographer and white water rafter. The majesty of the Sawtooth mountains continually awed him and he most enjoyed them when sharing the view with Sharon, his friends and his family. Tom was absolutely dedicated to his blessed family and friends.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nearly 30 years, Sharon Nelson; his sister, Nancy Porter; sons: Kyle and Hal; stepson, Curt Cutler; stepdaughter, Carrie Musicant; and four adoring grandsons: Nicholas Nelson, Zachary and Jacob Musicant, and Calvin Nelson.
Tom's charm, his incisive intelligence, dedication, his sense of humor, his passion for his family, and his companionship will be sorely missed.
A memorial service for Tom will be sponsored by the US Ninth Circuit Court in Boise in August.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Genesis World Mission, 215 West 35th Street, Boise, ID 83714, or to the Idaho Human Rights Education Center, 777 S. 8th Street, Boise, ID 83702.

Idaho Statesman May 10, 2011

Thomas G. Nelson died peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones, on May 4, 2011.
Tom was born in Idaho Falls on November 14, 1936, to Donald and Margaret Nelson. He attended public schools in Idaho Falls, graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1955.
Tom attended the University of Idaho, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and received his LL.B. in 1962. To help put himself through college he worked alongside his father, building roads in Idaho.
Tom married Ella Lee McPherson in April of 1960 and they had two sons. He and Ella later divorced. Tom extended his family in 1982 when he married Sharon Cutler who has two beautiful children.
He served in the Idaho Air National Guard and US Army Reserve from 1962-1968. He worked in Boise as an assistant Attorney General for criminal affairs from 1963-1965. In 1965 Tom joined Parry, Robertson, Daly and Larsen in Twin Falls and founded the law firm Nelson, Rosholt, Tolman, and Tucker in 1979.
In 1990, Tom was confirmed by the US Senate as a judge in the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a member of many professional associations, including president of the Idaho State Bar from 1974-1975. Also active in the community, Tom served on the Twin Falls City Council and as a director of the local United Way.
He chaired citizen committees that established a temporary shelter for non-delinquent children and a facility providing special services to children with developmental disabilities. During the course of his legal career, Tom never stopped thinking and learning, which contributed to his ability to put aside preconceived notions and come to reasoned conclusions.
Throughout his life Tom cherished the outdoors. He was an avid photographer and white water rafter. The majesty of the Sawtooth mountains continually awed him and he most enjoyed them when sharing the view with Sharon, his friends and his family. Tom was absolutely dedicated to his blessed family and friends.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nearly 30 years, Sharon Nelson; his sister, Nancy Porter; sons: Kyle and Hal; stepson, Curt Cutler; stepdaughter, Carrie Musicant; and four adoring grandsons: Nicholas Nelson, Zachary and Jacob Musicant, and Calvin Nelson.
Tom's charm, his incisive intelligence, dedication, his sense of humor, his passion for his family, and his companionship will be sorely missed.
A memorial service for Tom will be sponsored by the US Ninth Circuit Court in Boise in August.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Genesis World Mission, 215 West 35th Street, Boise, ID 83714, or to the Idaho Human Rights Education Center, 777 S. 8th Street, Boise, ID 83702.

Idaho Statesman May 10, 2011