Douglas Dean Nelson, 93, passed away Monday, January 29, 2018 at Osprey Village Retreat, Amelia Island, Fla.
Doug was born in Wausa, Neb., on March 12, 1924, the son of Gustav A. Nelson and Hazel Bloomquist Nelson. He was especially proud of his Swedish heritage.
Doug was an athlete and played professional baseball before attending the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where he lettered in both football and basketball. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years and graduated in 1948 with a degree in entomology. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a lifelong supporter of the university and its athletic programs. He enjoyed his career in agricultural chemicals and retired after 40 years with FMC. During that time, he managed multiple accounts both nationally and internationally and made many friends in the process. He loved to hunt and fish and would share his boat with anyone willing to pull up the anchor. He was a master gardener and grew enough vegetables in his garden to keep his many appreciative friends well stocked. An avid golfer, he was an active member of the Amelia Island Plantation Men’s Golf Association. He was a longtime member of the Amelia Plantation Chapel and loyally served on several committees including grounds and finance.
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Mary Louise Wiedman Nelson on September 7, 2007. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Dr. John Gunsaul Wiedman, and sister-in law, Jean York Wiedman of Lincoln, Neb.
He is survived by his three children, Kristi Ann Nelson (Stewart Goldman) and their daughter, Annika Marie Goldman (Louis Lipner); Mary Louise Nelson Morgan (Jim) and their sons, James Douglas (Allison) and Thomas Nelson (Shannon); and Dr. Douglas Dirk Nelson (Kathi) and their children, Laura Kathryn, Kirstin Tellman (Doug Newton) and Alexander Dirk. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Niya Virginia and Zoey Kathryn Newton, Gus Goldman Lipner, and James Thomas Morgan (son of Thomas and Shannon Morgan).
Doug is also survived by Gertrude Baumgaertner, who loved and cared for him over the past seven years.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Amelia Plantation Chapel with interment in the Chapel Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Amelia Plantation Chapel, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, or a charity of one’s choice.