Edward Maxwell Nelson

Edward M. Nelson (Popipop) was born in Beaumont, Texas in the summer of 1925 to late Gilbert and Ruth Nelson. He was the eldest of three children, his brother Elton Nelson and Thomasine Thomas. After completing high school, Edward enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the early 1940's. On his way to technical training he learned to enjoy Spam in a colored only rail car. When he returned home after the war he worked for a brief time as a letter carrier in Beaumont and married Myrtle Smith. Shortly after their marriage she passed away; realizing the hardship endured by blacks in the south he soon moved to Reno, Nevada where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nevada. While in Nevada he met and married Thelma Julia Stell.

Quickly he found a job as a Truck Driver hauling ammunition for the Korean War; not liking the cold he moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950's. Throughout the 1950's and 1960's he took up truck driving and eventually worked as a Police Officer with the Los Angeles County Sherriff Department for fifteen years. Meanwhile owning his own business establishment where he met Esther May Oman and her daughter and adopted a second girl..

Ed being a very forgiving man coupled with a firsthand experience in the Watts Riots decided to make a career change from Law Enforcement to Aviation. He worked for a short time at Webbers Aircraft after which he began a career with Continental Airlines. In the early 1970's he met Rochelle Ortiz who he had two children with. In the late 1970's he married the late Dolores Osorio. He was very influential in raising his threestep children.

After thirty-one years with Continental Airlines, Ed retired. After retiring he and his wife, Elena Nelson just simply enjoyed life.

Edward Nelson accepted the Lord in his life at an early age. He was dedicated to the work of the Lord. It brought him such joy to share the Bible with others. He was known at his church home, The Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church for his knowledge and wisdom. He was vice president of the Brotherhood and mentored numerous people he would often be quoted saying "Don't let yesterday's disappointments spoil tomorrow's success". He was not only active with his family but also in his church ministry. He proudly served on the Deacon Board for over 40 years.

Ed Nelson was a dedicated family man who always found time to spend with his children; He was blessed to have raised ten wonderful children, six boys and four girls. He never distinguished the difference between his children blood relation or not. Proudly he treated all the kids as his own.

To his union with Thelma three sons were born, William Edward Nelson (Butch) aka Edward Maxwell Nelson Jr., who has eight children and sixteen grandchildren; the late Vinn Rosa Nelson, who had four children and two grandchildren; and the late Fredrick Reuben Nelson (Skipper), who has two children and four grandchildren.

To his union with Dolores Osorio he was able to raise a wonderful stepson, Orlando Wilfredo Osorio whom Ed took in as his own son.

To his union with Rochelle Ortiz two sons were born, James Brian Christopher Nelson, who has three girls; and Scott Thomas Anthony Nelson.

Popipop found so much joy in raising girls. He never forgot the day that Esther brought Geraldine Francis Martinez, who has six children and seven grandchildren to meet him. He was so proud to have adopted Antoinette Marie Nelson in the early 1970's, who has eight children which include three sets of twins. The relationship with his two daughters, Celia Beatrice McDonald, who has three sons; and Mayra Susana Rogers (Pooh Pooh), who has four children grew closer after the passing of his wife, Dolores Nelson.

All in all he was fundamental in raising nearly sixty children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When he was blessed with his "baby sister" the late Thomasine Yvonne Thomas in 1939 his heart melted. He was "hooked" on parenting from then on.

Midwinter 2013, Edward M. Nelson went home to be with the Lord.

Ed....Pop you will be missed. As he would sing the "Lord is Blessing me Right Now Right Now". I think we now finally understand ...Although pop is gone, he will always be remembered in our hearts and minds forever. For the Lord truly is blessing him right now... right now... He would say to us kids "Daddies fine, I can't complain and don't forget to say hi to ED". We love you pop....