Creator's Arts Centre would like to thank the R J Nelson Family Foundation for their very kind donation to our Tuition Assistance Program for 2011-2012.

Raymond J Nelson was a home builder and a philanthropist, who lived in Lloydminster, AB.  He died September 20, 2010 at the age of 90 years. At his death, Ray remained the oldest person in the world to have received a heart transplant. The operation was performed December 27, 1999 at the University Hospital in Edmonton, AB. He was 79 years old at the time. He was grateful every day for his new heart and it sustained him for over ten more years.

A respected entrepreneur and businessman, Ray was a founding director (1975 to 1992) of Alberta Energy Company (now EnCana Corporation). Other noteworthy directorships included Alberta Power Limited, British Columbia Forest Products, Economic Council of Canada, and Alberta Treasury Branches. In 1996 he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame.

In his community of Lloydminster, he was a member of the Lloydminster Rotary Club from 1947. He served in many community roles including the Lloydminster Municipal Hospital Board, the Lloydminster & District Agricultural Exhibition Association and the Lloydminster Foundation. He was honoured for his many contributions to the City in 1991 at a community-sponsored appreciation event and again in 2006 when a group of citizens successfully initiated the process to have the portion of Yellowhead Highway 16 within the Lloydminster city limits named Ray Nelson Drive. He was awarded the first annual Lifetime Achievement Award by the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce in 1998. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra never performs anywhere outside of Edmonton, except in Lloydminster, all because of Ray. Due to that special relationship they recognized him with an Honorary Membership, an honor bestowed on only three other people.

"For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God."
Hebrews 3:4

We are so grateful to this Foundation for helping us with God's work.

Thank you so much!