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Roy Nelson
January 11, 1917 -- April 21, 2010 |  |
Roy Nelson--a member of the Saluda River Chapter from it's early days--died Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
Roy was on the board of directors for numerous years at an important time and very helpful in many ways in addition to being chair for the annual banqet for several years and for the 'Kids Fishing Days' which he originated (but, was unfortunately discontinued by the late 90's from lack of volunteers). Roy worked closely with Don, Malcolm, Ted, Harold, Tony, Dermon, and other leaders in our first decade in many different ways, from programs to fund raising to conservation meetings. Although Roy had never served as a chapter president, SRTU's then-President Malcolm Leaphart presented him a "President's MVP Award" in 1994 for all of his many different contributions, often quietly done behind the scenes, to foster and promote the chapter activities.
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Words from Malcolm Leaphart about Roy Nelson :
I was saddened to learn of Roy's death. He was a friend that I first met in the mid 1980's when he joined the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU). A 'make-it-happen' type of person, Roy was soon on our Board of Directors and chairing our annual banquet and fund raising efforts, including merchandising for the Palmetto Sportsmens Classic. He also set up our original 'Kids Fishing Day' events, taking children from the Epworth and Carolina Childrens homes in Columbia out for a day of supervised pond fishing and lunch.
In addition to many other TU projects and activities, I travelled, fished, and golfed with Roy, enjoying the sharp wit from this kind and considerate man while he lived in Columbia, SC. We corresponded while he served in the Peace Corps in LeSotho, and kept up with each other when he moved to the Charleston area. Our last fishing day was a special guided excursion on Charleston Harbor that I wish we had had more of.
I appreciated the wonderful obituary that his family provided. Reading it, you cannot help but think of Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation," which Roy was certainly an excellent example of. Sincere condolesences to his family and friends. --ML ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBITUARY
SAMUEL LEROY NELSON STATESBORO, Ga. - Samuel Leroy Nelson, 93, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010 from complications of COPD.
Born on January 11, 1917 in Norwich, New York, he was the son of the late Christian and Ester Crance Nelson. He was a charter member of the Forest Lake Presbyterian Church where he also served as a deacon and an elder.
Mr. Nelson honorably served in the Army of the United States during World War II as a Captain in the 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, and was involved in the Normandy, France invasion June 6-29, 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart Award, Bronze Star Medal, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, and American Theater Campaign Ribbon European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Arrowhead for his heroic service to his country.
Following the war, Mr. Nelson worked for Norwich Pharmaceutical Company for 20 years, before changing careers. In 1965 he purchased a Hickory Farms franchise and eventually owned and operated three stores in the Columbia area until 1982. In 1993 Mr. Nelson joined the Peace Corps and spent two and a half years in Lesotho, Africa. During his stay he was awarded a grant from the United States Embassy to build a hammer mill to continue to help improve the agricultural area.
Mr. Nelson is survived by his son, James Henry Nelson of Ladson, SC; three daughters, Ann Nelson Temple and her husband, Robert M. Temple of Fort Mott, S.C., Betty Moore Nelson and her husband, Barry T. Standridge of Statesboro, GA, and Judith Nelson Rush and her husband, Paul F. Rush of Laurinburg, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Judith Ann Catoe Oglesby and her husband, James E. Oglesby, Frances Temple Reynolds, and her husband, Rem Reynolds, Rebekah Rush McKay and her husband, Eric Scott McKay, Erin Marie Rush, Jonathan Lyle Gray, Samuel Matthew Wasson, Samuel Nelson Rush, Alice McKellar Temple, Michael Paul Wasson; and two great-grandchildren, Frances Erin McKay and Grayson Wildner Oglesby.
His former wife, Frances Nelson Moore, and his brother, James Henry Nelson, and sister, Doris Nelson Walker preceded Mr. Nelson in death.
The graveside funeral service will be held on Wednesday April 28, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ft. Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd. Columbia, SC 29229 with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, 200 Donehoo Street, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459 or Health Care Odyssey, 5965 Core Avenue, Suite 603, North Charleston, SC 29406-6086.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
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