Randall L. Nelson of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away on September 13th, 2022. He was a tremendous man of integrity and honor. His greatest joys in life were serving the Lord, the City of Chattanooga, and taking care of his family.
He was born on January 10, 1941, to the late Russell and Mary (Bills) Nelson in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Wanting to make a difference in the world, he entered medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. After completing his first year at the height of the Cold War, he decided to join the Army. Trained at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky in the Engineering Demolition Training group- one of the very few times in life he disobeyed his mother he would say with a twinkle in his eye. He would go on to join the Army Reserves JAG Corps.
After completion of his regular Army service, he entered law school at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville. Upon graduation in 1968, he accepted an offer from Eugene Collins and Associates in Chattanooga. Mr. Collins became a mentor and friend. Randy would go on to argue before many Courts on the City’s behalf, including the U.S. Supreme Court. After Mr. Collins retired in 1990, Randy succeeded him as the third City Attorney of Chattanooga.
Randy got to see the City at its best and worst during his tenure. He worked tirelessly to defend the City and its interests and served as City Attorney until 2009. He was proud that two of his close associates and friends, Michael McMahan and Phillip Noblett, would later become City Attorneys.
He also served as a member of the Chattanooga Industrial Development Board and helped secure funding for many projects over the years- even delaying his retirement in order to work out the legal requirements and details for the Volkswagen plant.
Randy was a past president of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association, member of the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Association, and Phi Alpha Delta.
He was also a great father. He coached Little League at Middle Valley and basketball at the Hixson YMCA for both sons, never missed a play or musical performance, and was always there to lend support and encouragement for the entire family. He was a Deacon and Elder at Red Bank Presbyterian and later joined Hixson Presbyterian. He helped Rev. Herb Broadwater with negotiations to acquire the land that the new Hixson Presbyterian church stands on today.
Randy was a proud supporter and longtime UTK football ticket holder. He was glad that he lived to see a Chicago Cubs World Series victory, and supported the Bears, Blackhawks and Celtics.
Left to remember him are his wife of 54 years Carolyn, son- Kenneth, son- Keith and his wife, Jessica, grandkids- Abigail and Zachary, sisters in law- Janice Garrett and Sandra Painter, nephews- Chad, Jason, and Justin, niece- Kelly and all of their families, fur friend- Sasha, along with several cousins throughout the Midwest. We will miss him terribly and remember him for the example he set in life.
The family would like to thank the staff of Ascension Living Valley and the Soddy Daisy Healthcare Center for the kind, loving, and attentive care over the course of a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory to either the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, PO Box 61420, Staten Island, NY, 10306 or Alzheimer’s Foundation at the National Processing Center, Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, D.C., 20090-6011.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday, Sept. 18, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Randy’s life will be held at 2 pm on Monday, Sept. 19, at Hixson Presbyterian Church, 1450 Jackson Mill Drive, Hixson, TN 37343 with Pastor Robert Johnson and Reverend David Fugatt officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
