Edwin Miles Nelson

Edwin Miles Nelson CLU, known to everyone as Pete Nelson passed away peacefully at home in Lutz, FL with his wife Carol on Sunday December 12, 2021. He was 87, just shy of his 88th birthday. Pete was born Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Father Henry Brainerd Nelson (1889–1955) and Mother Arabelle Marie Miles (1906–1984) but grew up in Naperville, IL. In High School, Pete was a multisport athlete but particularly a football player. After high school, Pete was appointed to the United States Naval Academy as a Midshipman beginning in 1953 where he was able to play football for Navy. His time at USNA was cut short due to a football injury and was honorably discharged from the Navy. He was very proud of his short time at USNA, to this day, we think the last line of the National Anthem is “Beat Army”.

Beginning in 1955, Pete attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL where he received a BS in Economics, became a Sigma Chi and met the love of his life, Carol Kolley. Pete and Carol were married November 9, 1957 and have been married for over 64 years.

Pete began his professional career right out of college in the Insurance Business, beginning at Continental Casualty but spending most of his career with Provident Life and Accident. Provident led them out of Illinois to Atlanta, GA then to Savannah, GA where the first two Nelson children Kathleen (Kathy) Merrie (1963) and Christopher Miles (1964) were born. The career then led them to Miami, FL and finally ending up in Tampa, FL, where the third child, Wendy Sue (1970) was born. Florida was the perfect place for Pete, he was able to do all the things he loved, raise a family, play golf and of course, go fishing. A lot of time was spent fishing with his kids in Homosassa, FL. Pete was very proud of his children and could be found at their activities, out at the baseball field, at the horse barn or at a dance recital, front and center!

Pete retired from Provident and started his own Agency, Nelson Benefits Group in 1989. His son Chris started working with Pete at Nelson Benefits Group in 1996 his daughter Kathy joined them in 2003. Pete loved that his business turned into a family business. Along with his career, he was committed to service to his community. He is a Lifelong Sigma Chi, a former president of the Tampa Bay Group Insurance Association, a member and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary for many years and a member of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church for 52 years where he served many times as an Elder as well as a member of various committees.

Pete is survived by his loving and devoted wife Carol Nelson; daughter Kathleen and husband Reid Evans, daughter Wendy and husband Lomesh Prasad, Grandchildren Evans: Bradley, Prasad: Shennah, Priya, Zander and Anya.

He was predeceased by his son Christopher, brother Henry Brainerd Nelson Jr., Sisters Elizabeth Rhodes Nelson (Smith), Gladys Rhodes Nelson (Smith) and Nancy Lee Nelson (Dummer).

Pete loved his family, was always kind, a leader, very fun and funny, respected, and loved a good story. His life was well lived and he will be missed.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 15 at 2 P.M. at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 709 W. Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, FL. 33612. If possible, please wear a red shirt. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Forest Hills Presbyterian Church or Feeding Tampa Bay.