After teaching for close to 10 years in Michigan, I moved to Florida and took a job as the Manager of an Employment agency in Brandon.  When I decided to earn my Doctorate I returned to education. I interviewed with Linwood for a Senior English teaching position, and toward the end of the interview he interrupted himself and said, "You know, there are some people who just know how to interview". He then asked me what I thought was better-accuracy or speed? When I replied "accuracy", he told me "Wrong. Speed. If you are fast enough you can cover up your mistakes before they are discovered." That ended the interview, and I was hired. At that time we were experimenting with the concept of "The open classroom" which put 2-4 classes together with no walls between them. During teacher evaluations Linwood told me the class was too loud. I reminded him that there were no walls to absorb sound, and could he give me three suggestions on how I might improve the situation. I didn't get any suggestions, but later I heard through the gossip column that "She intimidates the 'Great Intimidator.' " Some time later the Department Head informed me that although I had the greatest amount of credentials, skill and experience I would never get a promotion in that school. So of course, I left.  In the years that I taught Teacher Education at the University level, I always used these and other experiences in education as  examples of what these prospective teachers  might encounter in a teaching career. Everything I learned about racism, grade changing, rail-roading teachers, I learned at Brandon High School almost 35 years ago. Lessons of a life time.  Perspective.                                     

Mr. Nelson was an assistant principal when I was a student at Brandon high school in 1975.

He was in charge of the clubs and I was president of key club!  I would go in his office and we will talk sports since I was also on the baseball team..  Then he would tell me it was time to get back to class . (  I was trying to stay out of class as long as I could ) He was one of the many people who made a lasting impression on me at Brandon high school as I became a teacher coach..  I’ll never forget his caring about students and being a man of principle.

I was always glad I was a girl at BHS.....heard the stories of Mr Nelson from a lot of male friends......He was well respected in the halls of BHS.  Rest in Peace.  And may God bless your family as they travel through their memories of you.

Christy Cowart Solomon
BHS 1971

"Coach Nelson" was given a plaque from my teammates after the successful basketball season in 1965- The first year Brandon played with the "big boys" in the old Western Conference.  It simply said- "to one helluva coach.".  We weren't the most talented or the biggest but in the two years since he came to Brandon High,  nobody worked harder. In our first game that year we played Robinson High- a sports powerhouse in those days.  In pre-game warm-ups, both teams were doing lay up drills- i think we had one guy who could jump high enough to touch the rim- half of their team was putting on a "dunk the ball" clinic on the other end.  First game of the year, full house at home, Robinson High and their show time exhibit.   Yes, we were intimidated.  Then we huddled in the front of our bench and "Coach" got in our faces and "explained" what we were going to do; it was far more intimidating than anything else.  We ran them off the court.  He knew what we didn't- he believed what we didn't.

He was one "helluva a coach" but more importantly he was one "helluva man".     Well done Coach- well done!

As an English teacher at Brandon while Linwood was principal, I learned to take myself less seriously. He loved to call me into his office and put the fear in me about something I had done that would get me in trouble or ask me about some applicant to teach English who would be a great coach but maybe not such a good English teacher. Then he would watch me squirm for the longest time before he broke into laughter. In the end he always supported his teachers, did the best for our students, and loved Brandon High School. I loved the man and his terrific family!

New Hope United Methodist Church

LifePath Hospice c/o Chapters Health Foundation 

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He was preceded in death by his parents, Mervin and Mittie Nelson; sister, Pauline. 

Linwood is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marge; five children, Kathie (Jim), Mike (Lynn), Barbie (Joe), Marj (Pat), Carro (Bill); ten grandchildren, Kate, Michael, Andrew, Gregg, Mary Catherine, Meagan, Ashlyn, Noah, Alex, Josh; five great-grandchildren.

OBITUARIO

Linwood Nelson

8 mayo, 1929 – 29 septiembre, 2018

Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens

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