Rick Nelson

February 15, 1954 - August 11, 2026

There are defining moments in our lives that change us forever.

Today is one of those moments.

Our Daddy, Ricky “Rick” Nelson, left this earth for a much better place, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, stories, and a family who loved him more than words can adequately express.

Rick was born on February 15, 1954, in Quanah, Texas, to Sidney Nelson and Barbara Marsalis. He later made his home in Lubbock, Texas, where in 1972 he married the love of his life, Karon Jean Matthews. Together, Rick and Karon built a life, raised a family, weathered the good times and the hard ones, and shared more than five decades of marriage.

Above all else, Rick loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Karon; his sons, Steven Nelson and wife Yvette, and Alan Nelson and wife Tandy; and his five grandchildren, Chloe, Tucker, Zoe, Allie, and Tripp.

His grandchildren knew him by a name far more special than Rick. They called him Beepa. Each of them will carry their own memories of Beepa with them throughout their lives, and through them, pieces of Rick's life will continue forward.

He is also survived by his brother, Mark Nelson and wife Nycel of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and his sister, LaNita Frost and husband Mike of Valdosta, Georgia. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Nelson and Barbara Marsalis.

Rick proudly served his country in the United States Army, where he worked as a photographer. After his military service, he returned home and built a career through hard work and an ability to connect with just about anyone. Over the years, he worked for Piggly Wiggly and Rainbo Bread before eventually building his career as a food service broker with Sysco, where he remained until retirement.

He was a husband, a dad, a brother, a Scoutmaster, a friend, an outdoorsman, a fisherman, and Beepa.

For many years, Rick served as a Scoutmaster in Lubbock, giving his time to young men and sharing with them his love for the outdoors. Camping and being outside were simply part of who he was. He enjoyed being on the water, but anyone who really knew Rick knew there was one thing that stood above the rest.

Fly fishing.

There was something about the water, a fly rod, and the pursuit of the next fish that made him happy. Fishing was never just about catching something. It was about being outside, the stories that came from it, the people beside him, and probably the opportunity to tell everyone about the one that got away.

Those are the things that made Rick, Rick.

The humor. The fishing. The camping trips. The stories. The deals. The laughter. The lessons. The time spent together. The ordinary moments that never seemed important enough at the time, but somehow become the moments we would give anything to have back.

We are grateful for every laugh, every lesson, every fishing story, and every memory that now means more than we ever realized it would.

We love you, Beepa.

Until we meet again