Victor Kenneth Nelson

Victor “Vic” Kenneth Nelson, age 88, of Raymore, MO peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on April 26, 2019. He was preceded in death by his loving parents Orville Sr. and Nellie, daughters Victoria and Tamara, granddaughter Linsey, brother Orville Jr., and his sisters Mary and Juanita.

Vic was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Tall and handsome, this is where he met his young bombshell soulmate, Bonnie Abbas. With his parents’ written permission in hand – for he was not yet 21 – the two married on February 17, 1951.

In recent weeks, Vic repeatedly expressed that he had no regrets and that he was blessed with a good life and a good family.

As for his life, it was rich and all who knew him were rewarded for it. A WWII Occupation Forces and Korean veteran of the United States Army, he served as a Military Policeman in occupied Japan from 1951 – 1953. After his distinguished service to his country, he focused on his family and career in printing. He and Bonnie had a son, Randy, and two beautiful daughters, Vicki and Tammy. To provide for his family, hard work and a bright mind propelled him through the ranks of various printing companies. But in an era where quality of product and service equaled good customers and a great business, no one knew that better than the family foursome that owned Arrow Press. Vic and his brother Don purchased the printing business in Parkville, Missouri and poured blood, sweat and love into the company with the support of their two very best employees – Bonnie and Don’s wife Joann. Even in business, family came first.

From fruit stand worker in his teens to patriarch of the family, Vic braved the armed forces, the ‘57 Ruskin tornado, and the devastation of the 1993 flood with a smile on his face, a tune on his lips, and love in his heart until the end. Smart, gentle and full of compassion, there has never been a humbler man with greater convictions. He poured his drive, talent and natural leadership skills into scouting. He formed Troop 110 in the 1960s and served Boy Scouts of America in numerous and countless roles, such as Scoutmaster and District Commissioner. In 1982, he was awarded the Silver Beaver award – a high honor for distinguished service to scouting. But his greatest achievement is paving the way to the Eagle Scout Award for his son and three grandchildren who have followed in his footsteps.

His love for family was unmatched, save for his devotion to his faith. Vic was a longtime member of the Community of Christ Church in Grandview, MO. Although called to serve as an elder late in life, he pursued his faith and supported his community not only with a younger man’s heart and the yearning to learn more deeply biblical history and scripture, but also with a wiser man’s fidelity and gentle touch.

Vic Nelson was fiercely loyal to his country, his customers, his faith and his family. He was a veteran, a scoutmaster, an entrepreneur, a history lover, and a devoted steward of faith. For a man who was born in and raised a family in Kansas City, Missouri, he is known to have never met a stranger.

Vic is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bonnie; brother Donald (Joann) Nelson, Sr. ; son Randy (Rinda) Nelson; grandchildren Valerie (Derek) Mozingo, Thomas Starforth, Jeffrey Starforth, Erika Nelson, Justin (Lauren) Ginter; Stephanie (Aaron) Bronson; Stacey (Joseluis) Resendiz; and Jessica (Christopher) Nichols; 12 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and many other extended family members all over the country. And Toby G – his loyal sidekick and best friend.