Jack E Nelson

Jack E. Nelson died December 7 of dementia at age 79. He was born in El Paso, Texas on Feb. 13, 1936. His wife of 53 years was by his side at home as were his children, Marli Nelson and Stephanie Garris. Jack and June have lived in Maitland for 34 years having moved here from Boston in 1981. On May 1, 1984 Jack founded Nelson Investment Planning Services and together with June they began to build the business which after thirty two years has helped thousands of Central Floridians successfully manage their retirement portfolios. He hosted the first live radio talk program in 1986 about financial planning called "Dollars and Sense" and was on the air for over 25 years. The show continues today hosted by Joel Garris, Jack's son-in-law, and is heard every Sunday on WFLA radio 540 AM from 9-10 AM. Jack retired in 2011 and Nips continues to serve the clients with Joel Garris as CEO. Jack had over 40 years experience in the investment business. From 1968 through 1977 he was involved in the development and marketing of limited partnerships which were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the oil and gas and real estate businesses From 1977 to 1981 he served as President of the Distributor Division and director of Colonial Management Associates, one of the nation's largest mutual fund companies. In 1981 he moved to Florida as the Division Vice President of Keystone Massachusetts, Inc., an affiliate of the nation's oldest corporate trust company and subsidiary of the Traveler's Insurance Company. He was a Trustee for 61 of the Van Kampen Family of Mutual Funds. Van Kampen Investments was a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. He served as the President of the Winter Park Rotary Club, Director and President of the Economic Club of Orlando, Director and Secretary of the Maitland South Seminole Chamber of Commerce, and Trustee of the Maitland Art Center. He also served on the Family Board of the Winter Park Hospital. Jack was a two time cancer survivor and with thanks contributed to the remodeling of the Conference Room at the Winter Park Hospital Cancer Treatment Center. He was a member of the Director's circle at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Over the years his contributions helped build the new museum located on Rollins College Campus. Prior to 1968, Jack had a number of assignments in Washington D.C. in the Post Office Department and the Lyndon B. Johnson White House. He was a graduate of Texas A & M University where he received a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958. He graduated from Harvard Business School in 1960 with a Masters in Business Administration. He was a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served from 1960 to 1963. Jack, who was nicknamed "The Sweater Vest Guy" by the fans, loved going to the Orlando Magic Games and in fact purchased season tickets before the first arena was built. When they were not traveling, Jack and June attended the games cheering loudly for the team. His family: June his wife, his daughter Marli Nelson, his daughter Stephanie Garris and her husband Joel, his sister Janet Nelson knew he loved them. But he was exceptionally proud of his grandsons and loved them dearly: Nelson, Ethan, and Connor Garris. Jack and June traveled the world going back to many countries two or three times but their passion was going on safaris in South Africa. They would take their entire family many times to help them learn eco preservation and to view the magnificent animals. He will be missed greatly by those who loved him the most! As Frank Sinatra would sing - He did it his way! A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on December 19 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church located at 130 N. Magnolia Avenue in Orlando. Contributions in Memory of Jack Nelson may be made for future exhibitions to Cornell Fine Arts Museum, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789.