Sam Raymond Nelson

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1935. Thereafter, he attended St. Mary's University and played football pursuant to an athletic scholarship. However, after one year, he left college because his Uncle Gene and Aunt Anna Lewenthal needed his help in their small but growing business, Joykist Candy Company.

In 1942, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to England. In 1943, he graduated from OCS and took command of a transportation unit supplying bombs and ammunition to air wings flying missions over Germany. After D-day, his unit moved to France and then eventually to Germany.

He returned to San Antonio in 1946 and resumed working at Joykist. In 1947, he married Augusta "FiFi" Fitzsimon, who passed away in January 1986. They had four children, Patricia, Sam Jr, Joan and Margaret. In the years that followed his return from World War II, he continued to work at Joykist, and also was a referee at high school football games for nearly 30 years. His aunt and uncle passed away and Sam became President of Joykist. Under his direction the company continued to grow and became one of the largest wholesale distributors to convenience and grocery stores in South Texas.

In 1989, Sam sold the family business to GSC, a national distributor, and he retired. During 1990, at a class reunion, he became re-acquainted with Hazel Astin Buchanan, whom he knew in high school. She was a widow and they began seeing each other. They were married in September 23, 1990. He enjoyed his retirement years traveling, attending activities of his and Hazel's grandchildren, golfing and having fun with family and friends. He was a member of the Laurel Heights United Methodist Church and was a faithful attendee at Sunday worship services. He was also a member of the K Supper Club, Vice President of the Businessmen Dinner Club, Treasurer of the Friendship Forum/Aldergate Sunday School Class, and a member of the Double Nickel Club.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank and Louis K. Nelson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 12 years, Hazel Nelle Nelson; daughters, Patricia Du Terroil and her husband, Jerry of San Antonio, Joan Nelson of Wellington, Florida, and Margaret "Peggy" Nelson of San Antonio, TX; son, Sam "Bubba" Nelson, Jr of Marathon, Florida; grandsons, Gennaro Du Terroil and wife, Jacqueline and great-granddaughter, Isabella of Ann Arbor, MI, Jason Du Terroil and his wife, Sara of Glasgow, Scotland; granddaughter, Ginger Meehan and her husband Mike, and great grandchildren, Trey, Elizabeth and Amy of Marietta, Georgia; nephews, Louis Nelson and his wife, Ann of San Antonio, TX, Clark "Corky" Nelson and his wife, Judy of Belton, TX, and Richard Nelson and his wife, Pat of San Antonio, TX; his life long friend John "Bubba" Reeves and his wife, Marion of San Antonio, TX; stepchildren, Nelle Buchanan Still and husband, Don of Wimberly, TX, Albert Bill Buchanan of Dallas, TX, and Barbara Buchanan Walski and husband, Peter A. of Chino Hills, CA; 7 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren