Gerald Louis "Jerry" Nelson

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, and brother Gerald Nelson. He was beloved by all, in many different roles. Jerry, as he was known, was a veteran of the United States Air Force and the United States Navy with twenty three years of combined service, including several tours during the conflicts in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. The pride he felt in serving his country carried over as he actively involved himself in the VFW and Amvets. Known as “the man who could fix anything”, if anyone needed a solution he was the one to ask. Following his retirement from the Air Force, he put his mechanical skills to work, both as a profession and a hobby. His sarcastic sense of humor and witty jokes were ever present, as well as the teasing glint in his eye, and that is what we remember most fondly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dee Nelson, and daughter, Gerrilyn Nelson, as well as his parents and four of his siblings. He is survived by his sister Carol “Honey” McArdle, his seven daughters; Liane (Jerry) Dumolt, Michele Brown, Denise Roach, Juli (David) Shively, Leslie (Tim) Dunlea, Cheryl (Earl) Moyer, and Janelle (Mike) Glasser. In addition he is survived by eighteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. We will miss him dearly.

A private family service will be held out of state. Draping ceremonies will be held at both VFW Post 4437 and AMVETS Post 178. Please contact the posts for the date and time of the ceremonies. For those wishing to honor Jerry’s memory, donations may be made to VFW Post 4437, AMVETS Post 178, or Emerald Coast Hospice, 550 West Redstone Avenue, Crestview, FL 32539