Harry Earl Nelson

Funeral Services are scheduled to commence at Three o'clock Tuesday July 12, 2016 at Cedar Ridge Wesleyan Church 5101 West Randolph in Enid, Oklahoma. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation Monday evening at J.E. Foust and Son Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas from 4-6 Monday afternoon or Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock just prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Hennessey Cemetery in Hennessey, Oklahoma.

Harry was born in Hennessey, OK, and raised in Enid, OK, Harry Earl Nelson was the son of Floyd & Fern Nelson and Lillian & Bob Simons. After graduating from Enid High School in 1954, he went to work for the Oklahoma National Guard and then for Oklahoma Gas & Electric. He met his wife, Patricia, through her brother, and Harry & Patricia were married in 1957 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

In the fall of 1958, one of Harry's coworkers asked Harry & Pat to take square dance lessons. They took the lessons and were immediately hooked. Since then, they have square danced all over the United States, meeting many wonderful people they now call friends. Harry learned to call for Square Dances and helped form two clubs in the Northwest District of Oklahoma. He went on to hold every office in those clubs and in the district. After calling for seven years, he began supporting the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation, holding every office and serving as President in 1974 and again in 1994. From there, Harry pursued having the National Square Dance Convention in Oklahoma, which they did in 1974 and again in 2003, when he served as the convention's General Chairman.

During this time, Harry remained a member of the Oklahoma National Guard, serving more than 20 years. He then joined the Army Reserves, retiring after more than 10 years as a Command Sergeant Major.

Harry leaves his wife of 60 years, Patricia (Smith) Nelson; his son Mike Nelson and partner Janet LaFon of Shawnee, OK; his daughters Debbie & David Fletcher of Meno, OK; RaDonna & Marvin Hessel of Grand Prairie, TX; and Beth & Billy Briggs of Enid, OK. He also has 22 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and many close and dear friends.