Samuel Luther Nelson Jr.

Samuel Luther Nelson Jr., age 75, of Corryton, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.  He was the husband of Pauline Nelson, December 10, 2023 would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. 

Sam was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1948.  He is a 1966 graduate of West High School. Sam proudly served the United States Navy from 1967 to 1973.  He graduated from Liberty University in 1997 with an Associates Degree of Arts and a Bachelor Degree of Science.  He was the Chief of Airport Security at the Knoxville Airport for several years. He joined the Knoxville Police Department in 1973 and retired in 1995, when he was appointed the Director of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Division.  Sam spent many years in law enforcement, including time as a detective for Grainger County, as Captain and then Chief Jailer in Claiborne County.  

Sam was a 33 degree Mason, making him a member of the Shriners Fraternity, and he was a past president of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lodge number 2. He loved NASCAR, UT football, fishing, playing cards, hanging out in his man cave, and telling jokes. He was always ready with a story from his Navy or Police days, and loved to reminisce about his estimated 300 cars

Sam is survived by his loving wife, Pauline Nelson; son, Craig Nelson (Michelle Nelson); grandchildren, Sydney, Bradyn and Clay Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Nelson Sr. and Dorothy (Dot) Nelson.

A visitation for Sam will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 12 - 2pm at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 with a funeral service to follow at 2pm. A graveside service will be held at 3pm in Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com for the Nelson family.