Gary Martin Nelson

He was born August 3, 1938, in Rochester, New York, to Norman and Ruth Nelson. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Grade School, where he met the love of his life, Karen Wundes, while he was in second grade and she in first grade. Gary graduated from Aquinas Institute High School Rochester,NY) and College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA). Upon graduation, he was ommissioned into the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for 21 years, retiring as Lt. Colonel. During his Air Force career, he and his family moved 11 times, including being stationed in Waco,TX, Sacramento, CA, Dayton, OH, Omaha, NE, Fairbanks, AK, Hawaii, and Okinawa. He flew numerous missions and for his valor received many awards and recognitions, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Readiness Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), the Air Medal (13 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal (1 oak leaf cluster), Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon (4 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device, and the National Defense Service Medal . After retirement from military service, he went to work for Watkin-Johnson Company, a designer and manufacture of electronic devices, systems and equipment.

An outstanding scholar and athlete, Gary received many awards from his schools, where he lettered in both baseball and basketball. He played in a variety of leagues – from Junior leagues to Semi-pro Assn to Air Force leagues and company teams. Among his favorite awards was “Most Valuable Player” as a baseball pitcher. But his most favorite award was probably that of “coach” to his only son, Marty, while winning a championship basketball game in a junior league. He encouraged his daughters, Carol and Marcia, to participate in athletics and passed his “competitive gene” onto them as well. In later years, he enjoyed giving pointers to all of his grandchildren on how to throw, catch, hit or pass a ball. He was proud to attend many of their sporting events throughout the years.

Gary and Karen were married on October 1, 1960, and were fortunate to celebrate their 60th Anniversary with family. Their love and commitment provided a wonderful example for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family was Gary’s number-one priority. Celebrating birthdays, baptisms, and weddings together was important to him. He enjoyed studying genealogy and passing family stories onto his children, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gary and Karen were members of Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, TX, and enjoyed being a part of the community there. Gary was also a member of the Old Crows Association, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 55th Wing Association, Aquinas Institute Alumni Association, Holy Cross Alumni Association, and the Knights of Columbus.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Ruth Nelson, and his brother, Richard Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his three children, Carol (PJ) Fleming, Marcia (Jeff) Amy, Martin (Joan) Nelson; twelve grandchildren – Christine (Daniel) Uribe, Alexander (Nina) Amy, Katie (Dr. David) Massop, Maggie (Andy) Fleming, Gary (Chelsea) Nelson, Mary Nelson, Anna (Jon) Cole, Patrick (Alexa) Fleming, Patricia (Peyton) Burns, Daniel Fleming, Genevieve Fleming and Sean Fleming; and nine great-grandchildren – Isabella, Arthur and Lucas Uribe, Jane, Benjamin and Mark Massop, Jenna Cole, Diann and Quinn Nelson, and baby Fleming (due Aug 2021). He is also survived by his sisters, Elaine Zeller and Marilyn (Dr. Michael) LaCrosse, his sister-in-law, Phyllis Nelson, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Porter Loring Mortuary (1101 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212) at 6:00pm on March 29, 2021, followed by praying the Rosary at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial for Gary Nelson will be celebrated on March 30, 2021 at 12:00pm at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX, followed by The Rite of Committal and Interment at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to: (In support of Catholic Education) The Aquinas Institute of Rochester, 1127 Dewey Ave., Rochester, NY 14613 OR (In support of the retired Marianist Priests and Brothers) Marianist Mission, Attn: St. Joseph Legacy Club, 4435 E Patterson Rd., Dayton, OH 45481-0001