Mark L. Nelson, age 65, was taken to his eternal home on January 26th, 2025 at his home in Seale, Alabama. He fought a valiant fight against cancer for almost six years. Mark was born on June 3, 1959 in Albertville, Alabama.
Mark is survived and desperately missed by his loving wife Kathleen (Kathy) Joy of 43.5 years; his children, Angela K. Nelson of Durham, North Carolina and David Mark and Ruby Nelson, his grandson, Jay Nelson of Phenix City, Alabama. Surviving siblings and their families: Mac and Karen Nelson, Tara Collins, John David and Edith Nelson, Dan and Teresa Nelson, and Robbie and David Tarvin. Mark will also be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews, on his and his wife’s side, whose company he loved.
Mark is predeceased by his parents, John M. and Flow Inez Nelson; his grandparents, Robert Bob and Elva Nelson; and his sister, Kay Nelson.
Mark believed in and accepted Jesus at an early age, and strived to live for Him his entire life. He has stated that he hopes others will believe in Jesus from his example and not to worry too much. He said his proudest moments were when his kids were born and when they accepted Jesus as Savior. He wanted to be remembered as an honest man and a Christian with a little tourettes. Mark will be remembered for his infectious smile, witty humor, creativeness, kind generosity, and true presence and attention to those he loved. Mark loved his hobbies of silversmithing and casting natural things into silver and bronze. He was always happy to share his creations to whoever came to visit, and he loved to see others enjoying his silversmithed jewelry. Mark also liked dark humor, puns, and listening to old classic rock, especially Pink Floyd, CCR and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Mark joined the Army out of high school in 1977 and served in the infantry for the first four years. He then joined Army Aviation where he loved being a helicopter mechanic, an instructor for UH-60 mechanics and systems, and an instructor for pilots. Mark and Kathy were privileged to experience life in many different places throughout the world: Alaska,Texas, Washington state, Schwaebisch Hall, Germany, Virginia; they finally settled in Alabama in 1993. After Mark’s twenty year career in the Army, he was employed for almost twenty years by the US Postal Service in Enterprise, Alabama and Auburn, Alabama. He was always known as the go-to man who would do everything he could to help those in need of repairs, and in need of a morale boost.
When asked if flowers should be at his memorial service, he said, “If you want to buy flowers, take them to a nursing home instead. I will be in Heaven and have no need for them. Bless the living.” Mark also requested any memorial donations to be given to https://my.cascadehills.com/give, the last church at which he and Kathy enjoyed worshipping together.
