Judge George Carey Nelson III passed away March 18, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Judge Nelson was born in Cartersville, Georgia, on February 25, 1948, to the late Mr. George Carey Nelson, Jr. and the late Mrs. Malline Busby Nelson.
Judge Nelson attended Admiral Farragut Academy Preparatory High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, and upon graduating, enlisted in the United States Navy. He graduated from Mercer University where he completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign. He served on active duty from 1970 through 1973. He then graduated from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1976. Following graduation, he returned to his native hometown of Cartersville, where he began his private law practice in 1977. After becoming a founding partner in the law firm of Nelson and Bradley in 1981, he was named Bartow County attorney, a position that he served in for 21 years. It was during these years that he also served as Juvenile Court Judge Pro Tem. In 2001, he was appointed by Governor Roy Barnes as Superior Court Judge of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit, where he served until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Theresa Jeanne Powers Nelson of Presque Isle, Maine. He is also survived by his two sons: George Carey Nelson IV and his fiancé, Kelly McDaniel; Patrick James Nelson, his wife Bree Barge Nelson, and their two sons Colin and Hollis. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Nelson Bonner, and her family.
A Celebration of Life Service to honor Judge Nelson will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019, at one o'clock in the afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church in Cartersville, Georgia, with the Reverends Ted Smith and Mike Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Euharlee Presbyterian Cemetery with full military honors rendered. Serving as pallbearers for the service are Mr. Scott Panter, Mr. Steve Bradley, Dr. Ross Whatley, Mr. Ernie Palmer, Mr. Peter Olson, and Dr. Jeffrey Esslinger. Additionally, the Hon. David Smith, the Hon. Scott Smith, and the Hon. Suzanne Smith, and all of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Bar Association, will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 21, 2019, from four o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening in the Chapel of Owen Funeral Home, with the Bartow County Sheriff Department's Honor Guard standing guard throughout.
Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave fond memories of Judge Nelson, as well as condolences and expressions of sympathy for his family and loved ones.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, Georgia, 30120, is honored to serve the family of Judge George Carey Nelson III during this most difficult of times.
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