By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
The Moapa Valley Fire District announced the retirement, last month, of a well-known face after 31 years of service.
MVFD volunteer Matt Nelson said it was bittersweet as retirement and time with family is what he is looking forward to. However, he had built such a love and respect for the community and those he worked with.
“Pay back to the community is why you do this,” he said.
Nelson arrived in Moapa Valley a few years after graduating from University of Oklahoma in 1984. Born in Louisiana and raised in the Sooner State, he was new to the desert paradise of Moapa Valley.
He began his job teaching physical education and weightlifting at both the middle school and high school. After a year, he also began volunteering for local community services including the Moapa Valley Fire District.
One of his favorite external activities was coaching. He coached multiple sports including being part of the dominant coaching staff of the Moapa Valley Pirates football.
“There are too many times of how special the opportunity to serve through the fire department was to highlight one specific experience,” he said.
He was also present in the transition from the control of the fire department from the county to more local oversight. He added it was so good for the community especially pertaining to financial control.
“If you are going to do something, commit your time and do it,” he said as advice to those who are volunteers. “Don’t commit unless you are willing to do it.”
Nelson and his wife Cyndi have relocated to Fallon where they are closer to family. His future plans include finishing up repairs of the new home, spending time with family and grandkids and eventually getting back into volunteering. He added he most likely will start volunteering in helping with elections and voting.
Nelson said he wanted to give thanks to everyone he worked with and to the community for supporting him.
“There are too many people to thank to name them all individually,” he said.
