August Nelson Schott

Nelson was born on July 22, 1939 in Humble, TX to parents, B.B. and Margaret Schott. He was the oldest of 3 brothers. He grew up with loving and devoted parents in a boisterous household, where he and his brothers had many adventures and sometimes got into mischief. As a young man, Nelson was a member of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and later became an Explorer Scout.

When he attended Humble High School, Nelson joined the HAM Radio Club, sparking a passion that stayed with him for the rest of his life. He got his HAM radio operator’s license at the age of 15. He also worked at a TV repair shop and filmed sporting events for his high school.

After graduating from high school, Nelson attended the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and History. During this time, he also proudly served in the United States Army Reserve. He later received his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX. He had a natural talent for teaching and sharing his knowledge with others. In his lifetime, he taught at Aldine High School, Fort Davis High School, Three Tier Learning Center, Odessa High School, Odessa College and The University of Texas of The Permian Basin. His influence reached far beyond the classroom and left a lasting impression in the lives of his students.

Nelson had a love of photography, instilled in him by his mother. When he taught at Odessa High School, he filmed and photographed football games and sporting events. Before long, people began asking him to photograph their weddings. Not long after, Nelson turned his passion into a photography business, Schott’s Photography. For 45 years, Nelson was a well known and beloved photographer in the Odessa community. He captured weddings, sports, proms, families, seniors, campers, debutante balls and countless other events during his years in business. More than anything, he loved getting to know the people behind the photographs and built countless connections and friendships over the years.

Nelson was creative, intelligent and curious and he pursued many hobbies and passions in his lifetime. He loved reading, music, history, art, science, politics, sports, trains, military planes, traveling and physical fitness. On any given day, you might find him gabbing on his HAM radio with friends across the world or climbing a tower in his front yard, making sure he had his antennas fine-tuned just right.

In his forties, Nelson took up bicycling and it became a lifelong passion. He was part of the founding group of the Permian Basin Bicycle Association and he also launched the first Davis Mountain Cyclefest in 1986. He biked in several places across the United States, but he especially loved cycling through The Davis Mountains. He found peace and freedom in the open landscapes of West Texas and felt deeply connected to God and nature while riding. He built lasting friendships during his years of cycling.

He also loved attending University of Houston football games with his loyal and devoted brothers. He and his life partner, Barbara, would never pass up a chance to sit under the West Texas sky on a summer night, and watch a Midland Rockhounds baseball game. They also enjoyed traveling to Mexico. He was a Colonel in the Midland wing of The Commerorative Air Force and enjoyed attending air shows.

To say Nelson was a people person would be an understatement. He never met a stranger. His home and business was an open door to friends and family. If you wanted to “shoot the bull”, shed a tear, argue politics, get a pep talk or get a history or science lesson, he was your guy. He was generous, kind-hearted and loving, with a larger than life personality. He touched the lives of countless people and left an unforgettable impression on them.

Family and friends meant everything to Nelson. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with the people he loved. When he would visit family, he would horse around and tell jokes, as he was a giant kid. He always wanted the freezer stocked with plenty of ice cream. You knew you had better have lots of snacks on hand when he came to visit because he loved to eat!

He adored his two daughters, Carla Renea Wilkins and Amy Katrina Patterson. Throughout their lives, he loved and supported them and took so much pride in their accomplishments. His love and respect extended to his sons-in-law, Steve Wilkins and Brian Patterson. He was so proud of his grandchildren, Autumn Garvin, Amber Nichols, Caroline Ellsworth, Logan Patterson, Alyse Wilkins and Jordan Patterson. He was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren.

Nelson had a close and loving bond with his brothers, Gordon Schott and Randall Schott. He shared over 30 years with his devoted and loving life partner, Barbara Graff. He maintained deep respect and lasting friendships with the mothers of his daughters, Carolyn Gibson and Gloria Stamper. His lifelong friends, Freddie Mittag, David Johnson and the late Jasper Snellings, were like brothers to him.

August Nelson’s life was defined by his love of people, his curiosity about the world and his devotion to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

May he forever ride beneath the blue West Texas skies on a sunny day, with the wind at his back and the mountains ahead.

A Celebration of Life will be held for August Nelson Schott on August 1st, 2026 in Fort Davis, Texas at the Jeff Davis County Community Center from 1-4 p.m. All are welcome to attend.