Ronald Louis Nelson

Ronald Louis Nelson, 90, of Amarillo, Texas, was welcomed into the presence of Jesus on Friday, August 7, 2026. Ronnie was a cherished and faithful husband to Karen, a beloved father to his three girls, and a loving grandfather. He lived a life grounded in faith, filled with adventure, and guided by a quiet strength, calmness, and patience.

Ronnie was born on February 14, 1936, in Wichita, Kansas, to Louis and Dora (Steinmetz) Nelson. As a young boy, he and his family moved to the homesteaded Steinmetz family farm in Vici, Oklahoma. Raised on the farm alongside his two sisters, Ronnie was taught the value of hard work and how to love, serve, and follow Jesus.

At the age of 15, after the sale of the farm, he moved with his family to Amarillo. As a 1954 graduate of Amarillo High School, he obtained training as a diesel mechanic. This led to him becoming one of the first employees at Tow Brothers Company, where he developed lifelong friendships with each of the Tow brothers. Ronnie served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960. While stationed in Germany, he enjoyed touring around neighboring cities and countries.

He met Karen King in the singles ministry at First Baptist Church, and they were married there in August 1968. With love and steady leadership, Ronnie provided for his family as he and Karen raised their three daughters to know, love, and follow Jesus. First Baptist Church remained a meaningful and central part of Ronnie’s life, as he served as a deacon, sang in the choir, and watched his three girls be baptized and married there.

His girls cherish countless memories with him, with some of their sweetest moments being family trips to Red River, NM. They loved riding behind him on his motorcycle, camping together in their motor home, and watching their parents square dance with friends.

His love of flying began as a hobby in 1963. It then turned into a lifelong career when he was hired as a corporate pilot in 1966 for Pioneer Natural Gas. He was blessed to also fly for Mesa Limited Partners and Western Merchandisers and then worked as a contract pilot up until the age of 79. Flying brought him so much joy, and he could talk at great length about his adventures and remember in perfect detail all of the exciting memories he made as a pilot. In 2016, at the age of 80, he was honored with the FAA’s Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award for more than 50 consecutive years of safe flight operations.

He enjoyed numerous motorcycle trips with friends to New Mexico, Colorado, and the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. He also experienced the thrill of completing a tandem skydiving jump with a good friend. In retirement he looked forward to weekly coffee with friends around town and with fellow pilots at Tradewinds Airport. Ronnie will be deeply missed, but his family finds comfort in knowing that he is now home with his Savior.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Elaine Landry and Andrea Smith, and son-in-law Dennis Stafford. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Karen; his daughters, Melissa and her husband, Len Sosebee of Big Spring, TX, and their children, Jacob Sosebee, Caroline (Britton) Olds, Jenna (Kyle) Bunger, and Benjamin Sosebee; Natalie and her husband, Scott Bryant of Hallsville, TX, and their children, Anna (Peterson) Jones, and Luke and Reid Bryant; and Jennifer and her husband, Andy Black of Little Rock, AR, and their children, Jonathan, Micah, and Hannah Black. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Jack, and Navy Olds.

Visitation will take place at Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Amarillo. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.