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NATION -- Olin Pascal (Chief) Nation, born February 16, 1914, died April 10, 2007 was born in Chickamauga, Georgia, the ninth child of William and Tinnie Mae Nation. He grew up on a farm, learning to work hard, love the land, be persistent in hardship. As a tall, strong, young man, he played football in high school and college, and earned a full scholarship for college, graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in business, and as captain of the football team. He earned his nickname, "Chief" during this time because of his leadership abilities and his Cherokee heritage. While attending the University, he met his wife-to-be, Laura Jean. They had four daughters; Cheryl Touryan, Kay Willadsen, Mary Alice Higbie, and Alma O'Lynne Robb, seven grandchildren, and currently, fourteen great-grandchildren. At the beginning of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as Captain throughout the war. He and Laura Jean moved to Albuquerque in 1946 for a job as a builder, working with his father-in-law. He continued working in construction until retirement from his company, Nation Construction Co. He was involved in the construction of many of the buildings here in Albuquerque, from The Pit, to banks, schools, and buildings on the UNM campus. Chief was a big, powerful man, but gentle and quiet. His godly character was appreciated by those who knew him. He loved his family, the soil, and quality, craftsman-like construction. He and Laura Jean were known as those who loved to share whatever they had. Together, they built a happy home, filled with laughter, joy, and love of learning, passing on this heritage to their daughters and grandchildren. They spent many memorable times around the table, where there was much merrymaking with their daughters' friends and would-be-suitors. Memories of their home are filled with fondness; noisy Young Life and Intervarsity meetings, penetrating Bible studies together, the best parties around, and taking trips to the lake to share the fun of water skiing. Theirs home was known as a place of lively, energetic congeniality, full of the joy of learning and fun. In their latter years, Chief and Laura enjoyed each other, their grandchildren, their gardens, their cabin at Vallecito Lake in Colorado, and their church, Heights Cumberland Presbyterian. They loved the Word of God, and believed that their retirement years were specifically given to use for much prayer. Their boat had a "fish finder" in it, which they enjoyed, but the truth of the matter was that they were most interested in a different kind of "fishing." Chief Nation: faithful to his family, faithful to God, faithful to the end. The family is hosting a memorial open house on Sunday, April 22, between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at The St. James Tearoom, 901 Rio Grande NW, suite E-130. Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Sun April 15, 2007