A.J. "Blackie" Nelson

A.J. “Blackie” Nelson 92 died, Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS He was born July 14, 1919 in Roxbury, Massachusetts the son of Samual & Catherine (O’Donnell) Nelson. He was placed in St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage in Halifax Nova Scotia. He was adopted and was raised in Nova Scotia working on fishing boats and logging camps. He returned to the United States. He joined the US Navy in 1940 at Twin Falls, Idaho for six years and served 38 months in the south pacific as first class boatsman mate. He received a medal for bravery under fire after his honorable discharge. After the Navy he did some amateur boxing in San Francisco. He later went to Amarillo, TX to work on the L.S. Ranch. He then came to Liberal to work in the oilfield retiring in 1999 from Tri-State Casting which he had been in partnership with for 30 years. He was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church, V.F. W., Son of Erin and a former member of the Elks Club. On Oct 17, 1952 he married Leona Hall at Clayton, New Mexico. She died August 31, 2004.Survivors include.3 Sons Rocky Nelson and wife Emily Ft. Collins, CO Jack Nelson Phoenix, AZ Buck Nelson Phoenix, AZ1 step son Jim Billinger and wife Collene Viola, Ark.3 Daughters Rhonda Bartling and husband Randy Grand Island, NE Rene Nelson Liberal, KS Ramona Schwindt and husband Nick Liberal, KS 1 Sister in Law Iona Davis Moscow, KS24 Grandchildren, 36 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great GrandchildPreceded in death by on grand daughter Jennifer Dubbs.Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Monday at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Fr. Jim Dieker presiding. Burial will be held in Restlawn Cemetery.Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm Sunday at Brenneman Funeral Home.Visitation time will be 9am to 8pm Saturday and 1pm to 8pm Sunday at Brenneman Funeral Home.Memorial contributions Alzheimer’s Association in care of Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901