Fred Ernest Nelson

Born to Ernest G. Nelson and Anna Hinze on September 21, 1929, Fred was raised in Chicago, Illinois. He spent many summers at his family’s Lakeview Resort Duck Lake near White Hall, Michigan. He was a member of the Lane Tech High School rowing team, and attended college at ISU in Bloomington, Illinois where he met his wife of nearly 70 years, Delores June Webb. After graduation and marriage, they moved to Chicago, where Fred earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Chicago.

Receiving an officer’s commission, Fred served a distinguished twenty-year military career in the medical branch of the U.S. Army, retiring as Lt. Colonel. His significant assignments included Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C., Frankfurt, Germany, and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas (twice). He served as Chief of Social Work at both the U.S. Army General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, during the Vietnam War. He was awarded 4 Meritorious Service Medals, and was cited for his outstanding leadership as head of the Social Work team for Operation Homecoming at the end of the Vietnam War. He was passionate about helping Vietnam Veterans and POWs as they returned from Vietnam during tumultuous times. Fred served as a consultant to the U.S. Surgeon General, held leadership roles in various professional associations, and was a mental health consultant to installations across Europe and the United States. He was also an adjunct professor of Social Work at the University of Maryland, European Division, and Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, coordinating the Social Work Practicum program for college students at Brooke Army Medical Center. Fred was interviewed as part of the Veterans’ History Project in the Library of Congress.

After Fred’s military service, he continued his career in psychiatric social work in the state of Indiana from 1975 through 2004, guiding many people through their mental health journeys. Fred and Delores were active in their community, participating in various professional organizations, the Blatchley Nature Study Club and Kiwanis Club. They were active members of First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville, where Fred served as a Deacon and an Elder and enjoyed volunteer work. To be near family, Fred and Delores relocated from Indiana to Texas in 2017.

Fred is survived by his wife, Delores Webb Nelson, their three children, Kim Thompson (Hannis) of Denver, Colorado; Jill Powell (Danny) of Austin, Texas; Tyler Nelson (Stephanie) of Frisco, Texas; seven grandchildren, Collin Thompson (Becca), Dana Vanderwel (Brandon), Ben Powell (Amanda), Matthew Powell (fiancé Hannah), Catherine Lehman (Chad), Alex Nelson (Jillian), and Anna Nelson; 6 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Juanita Garrett, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor Fred’s life may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1207 Conner Street, Noblesville, IN, 46060.

A celebration of life funeral service, with military honors, will be held from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Stonebriar Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 10375 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75033. A committal service for Mr. Nelson will be held Monday, October 11, 2021 from 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.

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