NELSON GEORGE R

LTC George R. Nelson was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 05/02/2014 at the age of 78.6
Irving, TX
Flight Class 60-2FW
Date of Birth 09/16/1935
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 17 AHC in 65-66, 1 CAV DIV in 66, A/25 AVN 25 INF in 68-69
This information was provided by Wife Carolyn

More detail on this person: George R Nelson George spent his childhood years in Madisonville, Texas. He graduated from Sam Houston State University as a Distinguished Military Graduate and received a Regular Army Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. As a Master Aviator, fixed wing and rotary aircraft, George served in a variety of field artillery and aviation assignments throughout the United States, Germany and two tours in Vietnam. During his time of service he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Bronze Stars, one with valor, and eighteen awards of the Air Medal. George loved flying helicopters and planes for his country, but everyone knew he loved the Caribou best. George retired with his first wife, Judy Nelson, in Lawton Oklahoma. After her death from Breast Cancer, he eventually married Carolyn Robertson Nelson and relocated to Flower Mound, Texas and later to Irving. He enjoyed a lifetime surrounded by five children (Gene Nelson, Karen Laster, Fritz Diehm, Chenoa Diehm Morris, and Chana Morgan Flieg), 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren. Always the military man he was active in several military organizations including Military Order of World Wars, Quad A, Army Otter Caribou Association, and charter member of MOAA. George also served in his community through his church, Plymouth Park Baptist Church. As a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner George flipped pancakes to support children with disabilities. Little did he know his efforts would someday benefit his own grandchild. Last, George was a member of the local Elks Club and especially loved their facility in Hawaii. George endured his first heart surgery in 1991. He was later diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2003. Over the years his pace slowed a bit, but George continued to travel and enjoy his passion for golf. The ability to keep going was in large part to the care given by the Baylor Heart Transplant team when George was implanted with an LVAD, Left Ventricular Assist Device, one of only a few patients fortunate enough to have benefited from the device. It was a great day to fly and on Friday May 2nd, Caribou Driver George R. Nelson took off into the big blue as the sun was rising on a beautiful day. He left this earth peacefully and surrounded by his family at home.

Burial information: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Lawton, OK

This information was last updated 09/08/2019

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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025