Richard J. Nelson, Jr.'s Obituary
Richard John Nelson, Jr. entered this world on March 20, 1938 on his parent's kitchen table in Manistee, Michigan and passed away on Monday December 21, 2020 surrounded by his family. He was the son of Richard John Nelson, Sr. and Isabelle Maternowski Nelson. Even though he spent most of his life in Muskegon, he was always a Manistee boy at heart.
Richard (known as Dick or Dickie to his family and friends) graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1956 and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Air Force. During the next four years he was stationed in Colorado, Texas, Wales and Okinawa. Upon his discharge he returned to Muskegon where he met his one and only, Marianna Clarke. They were married on August 25, 1962, and spent the next 58 years loving one another and their four children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Dick studied at MCC and spent most of his working career at American Coil Spring. He and Marianna enjoyed traveling and spent a number of winters at Pensacola Beach where they met many wonderful friends from Michigan while drinking bushwackers and watching the Blue Angels "smoke" the beach. That was also where he pursued his love for art in a class where he was the only man. Dick was a quiet, gentle man with a dry sense of humor, who could fix almost anything. He enjoyed spending time with old friends, Sue &Charlie, Dave & Ann, Chuck & Joyce, Dick & Joanne, Tom & Sandy, Dan & Joyce and his many friends at Fruitport Congregational Church & the Vikings.
He is survived by his children Nanci (Jerry) Taylor & their children Ashlee and Raychal; Jon (Lisa) Nelson & their children, Paige, Hannah, Chelsie & Sydney & grandchildren Jace & Mckinley; Kristen Nelson Snider; and Richard John Nelson III & his children Casey, Jacob & grandson Lincoln; sister, Kay (Robert) Buckmaster & brother, Craig (Nancy) Nelson & many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents & son-in-law, Terry Snider.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Harbor Hospice, Fruitport Congregational Church, or a charity of your choice that will care for the poor, homeless and hungry during this pandemic.
Memorial services are planned for next summer in Manistee.
Shoreline Memorial Services of Muskegon 231-722-5050
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