Robert George Nelson, Jr.

Robert George Nelson Jr was born on October 3, 1939 to Mary Irene (Thoms) and Robert George Nelson Sr. in Kansas City, MO. His early childhood years were spent in Kansas City, the hometown that would be central to him and many members of his family over the years of his life. That being said, the family later moved to Wichita, KS and it was there where he spent his formative years.

Bob, as he was known to most, graduated from Chaplain Kapaun Memorial High School (Wichita, KS) now known as Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School. He briefly attended Wichita State University and would later volunteer for service in the United States Army beginning in 1961. It proved to be one of the most transformative and important decisions of his life. His basic training was not all that far from home at Fort Leonard Wood (MO), but his service would take him far away to then West Germany. The service along with the adventures and experiences of his Army years were ones he treasured the rest of his life.

When he returned home, he took a job with Rounds & Porter Lumber Company in Oklahoma City. While visiting family in Kansas City he met Ellen Drew Wurtz who was the best friend of his cousin Judy Egan. For Bob it was love at first meeting and soon began a series of weekend trip from Oklahoma City to Kansas City - before long he proposed, and she accepted. Their journey together began as they were married in Kansas City on August 8, 1965.

Settling in Oklahoma City, Bob and Ellen welcome their first of three sons when Erik was born on October 22, 1966. Not long after, a promotion with Rounds & Porter moved the family to Tulsa, OK and it was there that Curt was born on February 16, 1968 - then finally Mitch on August 4, 1974. Tulsa was the family home during Bob's years as a sales professional in the building materials industry working for Rounds & Porter and later Masonite. A job change in 1989 took the family to Jefferson City, MO - first working for Celotex and finally for Huebert Fiberboard.

Upon retirement, Bob spent much of his time in Eufaula, OK and also with his family in Kansas City and St. Louis. After suffering a stroke in December 2016, Bob lived with his son Curt right back where his life started in Kansas City. The last two years of his life he received excellent care living at Prairie Elder Care (Olathe, KS) - it was there that he passed away peacefully on January 26, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his mother (1978), his father (1991), and his wife (1994). He is survived by his three children - who both he and his wife devotedly called 'their boys' - Erik Nelson his wife Susan (Evans) and grandson Nicklaus of St. Louis; Curt Nelson of Kansas City; along with Mitch Nelson and his wife Amy (Johnson) of Kansas City.

The Nelson boys are grateful for all the family and friends that have been a strong support system long before and especially during these last few challenging years in our dad's life. He was a good and decent man. We invite all those who have been part of our family's journey to celebrate Dad's life with us on Monday, January 31st at The Stone Chapel on the grounds of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish located at 13615 West 92nd Street, Lenexa, KS. Visitation to start at 10am with Mass of Christian Burial at 11am followed by burial at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery (Raytown, MO). Flowers are welcome as well as memorial contribution made to Royals Charities.