Obituary of COL. (Ret) Melvin Wayne Nelson

COL. (Ret) Melvin Wayne Nelson, age 81 of Mt. Juliet, TN, passed away on November 3rd, 2017. He was preceded in death by parents, Wayne and Serephine Nelson; brother, Randall Nelson. He is survived by loving wife of 59 years, Genelle Nelson; son, Mickey (Teri) Nelson; daughters, Penny (Robert) Forrest, Candy (Tim) Burgess, and Buffey (David) Davis; 8 grandchildren, Macy Forrest (Blake) Amos, Melanie Nelson, Camden Burgess, Kenzie Davis, Micayla Nelson, Kassidy Davis, Eli Burgess, and Kiley Davis; sister, Joyce (Randolph) Harris; lifelong friend, Norman Gillespie; numerous nieces, nephews, and loved ones also survive.

 

Melvin graduated from Celina High School in 1953 and he also attended Draughon’s Business College. He was a successful business man owning Melvin’s Texaco and Market in Mt. Juliet, TN for approximately 20 years. Melvin was employed by Ford Motor Company for 42 years as well as serving 32 years as a decorated member of the Tennessee Army National Guard. He was a member of the McWhertersville Masonic Lodge in Donelson, TN. For many years, he was a TSSAA football and basketball referee and he never met a stranger.

 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 6th, 2017 at 1 p.m. at The Glade Church in Gladeville, TN. Interment will follow in Hermitage Memorial Gardens with Camden Burgess, Eli Burgess, Blake Amos, Marty Madewell, Tony Bates, Jay Blevins, Wayne Nelson, and Lance Jenkins serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Deering, Frank Pointer, Ford Motor Company UAW, Tennessee Army National Guard Association, Visitation with the family will begin at the Glade Church, Sunday, November 5th from 3p.m. – 8 p.m. and Monday, November 6th from 11am until service time.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Operation Stand Down. Address: 1125 12th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37203. Phone: (615) 248-1981.

 

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com.