NELSON, Jon Patrick (Jonny Bear)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ December 3, 2010 Jon Patrick Nelson (Jonny Bear), 42, died peacefully in his sleep Nov. 25, 2010, Thanksgiving morning at his home in Vail. He was born Dec. 10, 1967, in Flint, Mich. and has lived in Arizona all of his life. "We all love him dearly and he will be missed deeply. There will forever be a void in our hearts." Jonny had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. His heart was full of giving and always showed how much he cared for others. He loved to cook. The last meal he was preparing was a turkey dinner for the family. Jonny loved life and enjoyed good music, reading, golfing with his dad and especially loved to go fishing in the beautiful White Mountains. He always wanted to be with family and his best pal Rocky (a feisty little terrier) who was always by his side. Jonny enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Punta Gorda, Fla. He later returned to Arizona where he cooked at the Chuck Wagon Steak House in Lakeside. He later returned to Tucson. He was then certified as a truck driver so he could travel and see the states. Jonny is survived by his mother Diane Boykin of Vail; father and stepmother Jon and Tammy Nelson of Lakeside; brother Matthew Nelson; nephew Joezy Nelson of Vail; sister Stefani Nelson (Eric and Isaac Madrid) of Tucson; grandmother Clara O'Neal of Vail; uncle Randy O'Neal of Vail; uncle William O'Neal (Leslie) of Corunna Mich; aunt Geri Baker(Jim) of Canal Winchester, Ohio; uncle Jack O'Neal (Sandy) of Battle Creek, Mich.; aunt Judy Dudley(Jerry) of Swartz Creek, Mich; aunt Janet Chandler (Ray) of Swartz Creek, Mich; aunt Barb Boxell of Swartz Creek, Mich. along with several cousins and many friends. Jonny was preceded in death by his grandfathers William H. O'Neal and Gaylord Nelson; grandmother Nellie Nelson; aunt Linda Anderson and brother Joseph Nelson. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 10, in Tucson at the Adair Funeral Home-Dodge Chapel (1050 N. Dodge) and in the White Mountains in the spring. Adairs Funeral Home-Dodge Chapel handled arrangements. (520) 326-4343.