Lionel W Nelson

Age 101, died Thursday, August 7, 2014 in Sarasota, FL. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, he moved with his family to Lakeland, FL in 1922. He was educated in Florida Public Schools, earning degrees at Florida Southern College, Stetson University, Temple University in Philadelphia, and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

He was involved in Boy Scout work from 1930-1945 from Scout to Eagle, finally serving as a District Commissioner. In 1938 he was a contributing editor to the Boy Scout Manual. Following 1955, he and Wilma traveled the world, visiting 52 countries.

He was employed 1934-1944 as newscaster, copy writer and program director in Florida radio stations during which time he initiated variety programs for Florida Southern College over stations WFLA and WSUN Tampa. In summer during that same period, he broadcast commercials and local color for the Washington Redskins, with Arch MacDonald, for rebroadcast over WTOP, Washington, DC.

He was an effective member of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving churches in Florida from 1941-1955. Served as Chaplain in the United States Air Force from 1941-1947, stationed in California and in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska Theater. Following WWII he served as Staff Chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol for the state of Florida. In 1955, he resigned from the Florida Conference of the Methodist Church for health reasons incurred while in Alaska.

In 1955-1972 he was professor in Humanities at Montgomery College, Takoma Park, MD. He continued to serve in various church capacities in local churches as needed. In 1955 he became a qualified instructor in the Dale Carnegie Institution. From 1956-1972 he was a member of Kiwanis International with special responsibilities with the young college men of Circle K. Starting about 1955, he and Wilma traveled the world, visiting 52 countries.

While in the Washington DC area, he was a teacher in the Humanities with the US Department of Agriculture and the National Institutes of Health. In this connection he worked briefly with Col. Charles Lindbergh.

Fully retired from Montgomery College, he moved to Sarasota in 1972 where he lived with his wife Wilma until the time of her death. He was a member of the Masonic Shrine Temple of Winter Park, FL. He was a 32nd degree Mason, arriving at the degree through both Scottish and York Rites.

In 1972 upon moving to Sarasota, he joined the volunteer staff of Doctors Hospital, serving as coordinator of the Chaplain Program. He was active in this role for over 35 years, retiring finally at the age of 99.

He is survived by his daughter, Dale Draughon, and her husband Bill, Miramar FL, grandson Jeffrey Draughon, and his wife, Tabitha, Pompano Beach FL and great-grandson Justin Draughon. Cousins and their families are scattered from Florida to the Washington DC area.

Memorial Service will be Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 2:00pm at Sunnyside Manor Chapel, 5201 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725.

Arrangements entrusted to Palms - Robarts Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Sarasota, FL.