Gerald “Pete,” “Coach” Franklin Nelms passed away March 3, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas just shy of his 90th birthday. He was born on May 2, 1929, in the small town of Brookland, Arkansas to Monico and Otto Nelms. Pete was the beloved husband of his one and only love of 65 years, Della Spencer Nelms. Loving father of Vicki, Denise Moore (George), Geralyn, and Gerald Jr. (Linda). Proud grandfather of Kyle, Liliana, Jake, and Joshua. Pete was preceded by his parents, his sister Yvonne, brothers Gene and George. He is survived by sisters Bonnie McCartney, Dorothy “Dot” Wood, Jane Janes, brother Jim, and many nieces and nephews.
Pete was an army veteran of the Korean War and served in the National Guard after his return from active service. He was an alumnus of Arkansas State University where he earned a Bachelor and Master of Science in Education and played baseball. He was a devoted teacher and coach for three decades spending time in Dixie, Arkansas, Pacific, Missouri, and Eureka, Missouri. He spent his summers delivering milk for Hogan Dairy, counting cash at Six Flags over Mid-America, or teaching driver’s education. In his years of teaching and coaching, he guided and influenced many young people through both athletics and academics. Pete rarely missed a game, playing, coaching or in the stands cheering for his children and grandchildren. Pete was an athlete, coach and avid sports fan–especially St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
There will be a Military Funeral Honors Ceremony at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Committal Shelter #1 located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78209.
Memorial contributions in Pete’s name can be made to the American Diabetes Association https://donations.diabetes.org/ or South Texas Veterans Health Care System’s (STVHCS) General Purpose Program – San Antonio Campus https://www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/VolunteerNow/.
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