Charles Donald Nelson
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Charles Donald Nelson, 83, died Tuesday August 10, 2021 at Edward M. Poe Hospice Care Center in Titusville. Charles was born in Victory, Kentucky to Sherman Ballard and Anna Mae Nelson on November 8, 1937. He grew up in Kentucky and joined the U.S. Army where he served for 24 years, enlisting as a private in 1958 and rising to the rank of Major while in the Signal Corps. During his time in the military, he served a combat tour in Vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade ("The Redcatchers") was stationed in locations across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He furthered his education while in the Army, attaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Following his retirement from the US Army, Charles began a successful two-decade career in the aerospace industry at United Technologies, where he managed a team that serviced the Space Shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters.
Charles was an avid genealogical researcher, and he published a book on the Nelson family's history. Charles was an ardent golfer, fisherman, and bowler. He was an enthusiastic fan of the University of Kentucky's basketball team and followed the games no matter where he was stationed. He also enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. Charles was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and The Gateway Masonic Lodge #384 where he served as Chaplin.
Charles was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who supported and provided for his family and will be dearly missed. He was a very generous man, and always stood ready to help and donate to various causes, charities and organizations.
Charles is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anna of Titusville, his daughter Maria Rosaria Sparling and her husband Kevin of Warrenton, VA, his sons James Douglas Nelson and his wife Vicki of Titusville and Charles Donald Nelson II and his wife Tasha of Manassas, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Alex, Blake, Cami, Chloe, Dylan, Finn, Iain, Jack, Mandy, and Octavia, and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 5-7pm Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at North Brevard Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am Thursday, August 19, 2021 at St. Teresa Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Nelson Family Cemetery https://m.facebook.com/NelsonCemetery/ or the Vietnam Veterans of America