Obituary for Ron Nelson
Arthur Ronald Nelson passed away quietly on May 11, 2020 in St. Augustine, Florida following a brief illness. Born on November 9, 1949 in Santa Maria, California, he has resided in Palatka for the last 26 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Reed and Clara Johanson Nelson, and a brother, Bruce C. Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Herrington Nelson, his six children: Wendy Nelson, Candy Knight, Arthur Ronald Nelson, Jr. (Heather), Christian Nelson (Megan), Richard Nelson, and Niki Sparks (Bryan), and five grandchildren: Julian Schaffner, Lily Knight, Wolfgang Malinowski, Taylor Sparks, and Cameron Sparks. He is also survived by a sister, Alice Nelson Holley, and two brothers, Paul Reed Nelson (Leslie), and Eric L. Nelson (Marie).
Ron, as he was known to family and friends, retired in 1994 after 20 years of service in the US Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. While in the Navy he furthered his education with a Dual Masters in Meteorology and Oceanography, earning the highest grade point average up to that date from the Naval Post Graduate School. After retirement from the Navy, he used his education to work as an adjunct professor for the Florida Community College of Jacksonville, Vincennes University, and the University of North Florida. He loved teaching, especially helping working adults return to school and earn their college degree.
He was a military history buff, especially of World War II. His love of geology spurred the hobby of collecting rocks and geodes, and he amassed an impressive assortment from all around the globe. He immensely enjoyed travel and loved exploring new places, always bringing home a new rock or piece of history to add to his collection. Those closest to him always knew to bring him back a new rock in their travels as well. He was an avid reader with an expansive library and also loved spending time in the kitchen trying new recipes and making them his own. He was very mechanically inclined and also enjoyed home improvement projects, sharing the skills he learned with his children and grandchildren.
He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a two and a half year mission for the Church in the Columbia/Venezuela, South America Mission. He held various callings in the Church, including Elders Quorum President and a counselor to the Bishop. He had a firm testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Eternal Families.
A loving and incredibly generous husband, father, and Grandpa, he will be deeply missed by those who love him most.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions and guidelines, private graveside services for the family will be Saturday at San Mateo Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Ron’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Reed and Clara Johanson Nelson, and a brother, Bruce C. Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Herrington Nelson, his six children: Wendy Nelson, Candy Knight, Arthur Ronald Nelson, Jr. (Heather), Christian Nelson (Megan), Richard Nelson, and Niki Sparks (Bryan), and five grandchildren: Julian Schaffner, Lily Knight, Wolfgang Malinowski, Taylor Sparks, and Cameron Sparks. He is also survived by a sister, Alice Nelson Holley, and two brothers, Paul Reed Nelson (Leslie), and Eric L. Nelson (Marie).
Ron, as he was known to family and friends, retired in 1994 after 20 years of service in the US Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. While in the Navy he furthered his education with a Dual Masters in Meteorology and Oceanography, earning the highest grade point average up to that date from the Naval Post Graduate School. After retirement from the Navy, he used his education to work as an adjunct professor for the Florida Community College of Jacksonville, Vincennes University, and the University of North Florida. He loved teaching, especially helping working adults return to school and earn their college degree.
He was a military history buff, especially of World War II. His love of geology spurred the hobby of collecting rocks and geodes, and he amassed an impressive assortment from all around the globe. He immensely enjoyed travel and loved exploring new places, always bringing home a new rock or piece of history to add to his collection. Those closest to him always knew to bring him back a new rock in their travels as well. He was an avid reader with an expansive library and also loved spending time in the kitchen trying new recipes and making them his own. He was very mechanically inclined and also enjoyed home improvement projects, sharing the skills he learned with his children and grandchildren.
He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a two and a half year mission for the Church in the Columbia/Venezuela, South America Mission. He held various callings in the Church, including Elders Quorum President and a counselor to the Bishop. He had a firm testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Eternal Families.
A loving and incredibly generous husband, father, and Grandpa, he will be deeply missed by those who love him most.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions and guidelines, private graveside services for the family will be Saturday at San Mateo Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Ron’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.