Kenneth Nelson

Lt Col Kenneth W. Nelson, USAF (Ret), 90, of Vestavia Hills passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at his home. He was born on May 27, 1923, to the late Lawrence A. and Jenny (Liddiard)Nelson in Chamberlin, SD. He married Anne Mickelwait on July 9, 1960.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Anne and two children, Laura (Don) Welch of Fredericksburg, TX, and Col Lowell Nelson, USAF (Ret) of Arlington, VA; and 5 grandchildren. Kenneth was preceded in death by his brother, Ralph Nelson; sister, Ilene Dahlen; and brother, Lowell Nelson.

Kenneth served his country proudly in the United States Air Force beginning in WWII until his Air Force retirement in 1970. During WWII, he piloted the C-47"Gooney Bird" on many missions in China, including flights over “over the Hump.” He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a Chinese paratrooper drop mission over Hainan Island in February of 1945.After returning home from the war, he was recalled to active duty in 1951 and continued serving in the Air Force for a total of 28 years, retiring in 1970 as a Lt Col. His final AF duty was as a Primary Flying Squadron Commander at Craig AFB in Selma, AL. Following retirement, he pursued further education, graduating from Troy State University in 1971 with a B.A. in Business Administration. He joined the U.S. Customs Service that year, and in 1975 was appointed Port Director in Birmingham, a position he held until his second retirement in 1987. He has been an active member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church for almost 40 years, was an avid golfer, and served as the Chaplain of the Military Officers Association for many years.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be at 11 AM, Friday, January 17, 2014 in the Chapel at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow in Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo. Memorials may be made to Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made via Southernheritagefunerals.com.