John Nelson Junior died peacefully on Saturday afternoon, May 25th at Cullman Long Term Care Center. He was preceded in death by his father John, his mother Alcie, his brothers Ottis, Fred, and Grady, and his sister MarySue. He is survived by his devoted wife, Catherine D. Nelson, his three sons, Larry D. (Linda) Nelson, Gary W. (Jennifer) Nelson, and Jerry A. (Roxanne) Nelson, his seven grandchildren Laura M. (John) Forbes, Leslie M. (Joseph) Godwin, Derek M. Nelson, Kevin J Nelson, Blake W. Nelson, Kali Nelson, and John Gavin Nelson as well as five great grand children Alexandria E. Forbes, Sydney M. Forbes, Mackenzie K. Forbes, Jacob E. Forbes, and Catrina R. Godwin. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Brenda Horn, Diane Brown, Maxi Nelson, Bruce Nelson, Sharon Painter, and Charlotte Ecklund, as well as many others.
Junior was drafted during his senior year at Cullman High School into the U.S. Marines and served in combat in the Pacific. After returning from World War II he finished High School at Cold Springs in 1947. He joined the U.S. Air Ford retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service. He then worked another 25 years in the security industry, for Lanson Industries and Dalbert Chemical before retiring the second time.
Visitation will be at Cullman Funeral Home on Tuesday May 28th from 6pm – 8pm, and the memorial service will be at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church on Wednesday May 29th at 11am. Mr. Nelson will Lie-in-state at the church on Wednesday from 10am – 11am. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church or Omega Hospice. Cullman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.cullmanfuneralhome.com.
