NELSON, George Albert

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/02/2014 George Albert Nelson, 87, died Nov. 27, 2014, in Eagar. He was born Feb. 23, 1927, in Bisbee to Leonard and Ida Nelson. George married his sweetheart Evelyn Alice Sanders June 19, 1949, at the Sanders Ranch in Turkey Creek in the Chiricahua Mountains. He was blessed with seven children, Doris (Jim) Huff, Vernal, Utah; Debra (Mike) Hill, Eagar; Dorothy (Robert) Virden, N.M.; Doug (Lisa) Nelson, Peoria; Darlene (Arlin) Waters, Eagar; and Danell (Keith) Culp, Hereford, Texas. George was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many callings. He served a mission in 1997 in the Birmingham Alabama Mission, serving the people of Fayette. His love for the Gospel was abundant and he provided service to many people and has been a wonderful example for all who knew him. George served in the Navy from 1941 through April 1946. Once he returned from World War II, he worked for AT&T, then for Phelps Dodge for many years in the underground copper mine in Bisbee and Prescott. He worked the family farm in Elfrida. He also worked for Spitler Land & Cattle. Later he worked for Dusty A-7 Ranch in Pomerene, retiring in the summer of 1997. George also owned the bowling alley in Benson for many years, teaching many grandkids the love of bowling. George and Evelyn relocated to Eagar in 2000 where they were able to be involved with family and church and their love of the mountains. They enjoyed their retirement years traveling and spending time with all their children and seeing the grandkids and loved ones. George will be missed by so many. He was taken home on a beautiful, glorious Thanksgiving Day. George was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Evelyn Nelson, and son David Nelson; parents brothers James, Orval and Paul Nelson, sister Blanche and grandson Joel Nelson. He is survived by his six children, 21 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, three sisters, Alice, Louis, and Pauline and sisters-in-law Ann, Linda and Peggy. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eagar Stake Center, 1st Avenue and Main Street. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements.