Dr. L. Dean Nelson

Dr. L. Dean Nelson, 91, passed away at Cottingham House of Oconee Hospice of the Foothills, Seneca, SC, on May 28, 2014. Dr. Nelson was born in Rice Lake, WI, the son of Melvin Otto Nelson and Margaret Gygli. His father died in an accident when Dean was 6 months old and his mother raised him as a single mom. He was the husband of the Rev. Mrs. Janet “Gig” Nelson, who predeceased him. Surviving are his daughters Karen Nelson Basso (Derek) of Gaston, SC, Gail Nelson Jones (Arthur) of Stanfordville, NY and Dr. Beth E. Nelson (Stanley Fullwood) of Granby, CT; step-cousin Rob George, and loving nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren. Dean studied airplane mechanics and worked in Chicago prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps during WW II. Through the Army Specialized Training Program he was sent to Alfred University, Alfred, NY, where he and Gig met. He fought with the U.S. 69th Infantry Division in Germany, and participated in the historic April 25, 1945 link-up of “The Fighting 69th”and the Soviet 58th Guards Division near the River Elbe in the vicinities of Torgau and Strehla, Germany, which hastened the end of World War II on V/E Day, May 8,1945. Dean and Gig were married on April 13, 1946 after Dean was discharged from the Army. They honeymooned in Beaufort, SC. While Gig supported them, he studied at the Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR, graduated, and interned at an optometric practice in Wellsville, NY. In 1953 he established his own practice in Hamilton, NY. He was chairman of the NY All-State Optometric Extension Program for 12 years, and attended the Gesell Institute for Optometric Visual Development. He was deeply involved in his community as president of the Hamilton, NY Rotary Club, chairman of the Hamilton Planning Commission, a director of the Mid-York Health Center, and an officer in the Hamilton Lions Club. As a member of the Park United Methodist Church he had many lay ministries including serving as lay leader; and was a member of the Administrative Board, the Nominating Committee, and the Every Member Visitation Committee. He was chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee and the Special Improvement Drive, and served as Church School Superintendent. In 1980 he sold his practice and transitioned to a part time work schedule, moving to Vernon, NY to live in the parsonage of the Vernon United Methodist Church where Gig was pastor. They retired in 1984 and moved to the foothills of the Blue Ridge in South Carolina where they were involved in a number of churches, including those where Gig served as guest preacher. They both volunteered for the local chapter of Meals on Wheels. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2011 with a party at home. Dean expressed his creativity in woodworking; he built beautiful furniture, creative toys which Gig would paint, and furnished their kitchen with cabinets. He was an extraordinary man who was professionally accomplished and widely respected, fiercely loyal to his family, and deeply involved with his church and community. He instilled in his daughters the strong Mid-Western values with which he was raised. His loving family misses him terribly. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial gifts be made to Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678, www.saintmarkumcseneca.org; or to the Nelson Internship (focused on women’s health) at Bryn Mawr College, Resources Office, Helfarian, 101 North Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2899, (610) 526-5121; or to Cottingham House of Oconee Hospice of the Foothills, Oconee Medical Center Foundation, 298 Memorial Dr., Seneca, SC 29672, www.oconeemed.org/hospice. A memorial service will take place at the convenience of the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.davenportfuneralhome.com. A memorial service will be held in honor of Mr. L. Dean Nelson Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678.

Dr. L. Dean Nelson

February 23, 1923 - May 28, 2014