Ed Nelson |
| Posted 2008-01-18 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, January 10, 2008 Ed Nelson, husband of Catherine (Kate) Nelson, passed away Dec. 28, 2007. Ed was born in Woodbury, N.J., Nov. 13, 1922. He joined the U.S. Navy in Sept. 1941, retiring as a Master Chief Boatswains’ Mate in 1968. During World War II, he served throughout the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as a Navy gun crew captain on a merchant vessel and on a seagoing tug in the Solomon Islands. He also served in the Korean War and in a wide variety of military operations, and received numerous awards throughout his distinguished career. Following military service, he served 10 years in the Merchant Marines until a broken neck in 1978 ended his career as a mariner, but began a new career as a man who overcame incredible odds, doing things doctors told him he could not possibly do. He and his wife built their house in Chino Valley, doing a large portion of the work themselves. With only 20 percent dexterity in his hands, Ed pursued many hobbies to maintain his dexterity, including award-winning needlepoint, gardening, carpentry and model shipbuilding. Perhaps his proudest accomplishment was building a scale model of the HMS Cutty Sark comprised of over 10,000 pieces – a museum-quality masterpiece of craftsmanship that took nine years to complete. He also was an ardent supporter of Kate, his wife of 52 years. He is survived by his wife; their daughter Dana Sullivan of Sacramento, Calif.; and son Craig Nelson of DeSoto, Texas; his sisters, Althene Miller of Woodbury, N.J., and Lois Kiger of Mullica Hill, N.J. He was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence Nelson. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at the Veteran’s Hospital Chapel. In accordance with Ed’s wishes. Heritage Mortuary is taking care of arrangements. Information provided by survivors. |
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