Leo Nelson
Ava, MO

Leo Nelson loved life on this great earth, but he loved heaven too, the good Lord took him by his hand and lead him home Friday the 2nd of August.
His wife Ruth Tate Nelson preceded him in death along with one brother Otto Nelson and sister-in-law Alpha Price Nelson, One sister Emma Nelson Hutsel and bother-in-law Ottis Hutsel. Lawrence Tate bother-in-law and wife Maxine Jones Tate, Sister-in- law Hazel Tate, Sister-in-law Florence Tate Herd and husband Cleo Herd, sister-in-law Pauline Tate Brixey and husband Dillard Brixey.
He leaves behind a son, Mike Nelson and wife Sherri a daughter Beth Nelson Fairbanks and husband Tom. One brother Dr. Fred Nelson and wife Lorraine. Four grandchildren, Amy and husband Nathan Green, Stephen and wife Mary Nelson, Michael and wife Amanda Fairbanks, Jennifer Galaviz, three great grandchildren Carrie Lynn Nelson, Daniel Green and Miranda Green. Five nieces, five nephews, four great nieces three great nephews, many other relatives and a host
of friends.


He loved his family, enjoyed fishing, fly fishing, hunting quail, garage sales, playing cards especially Skipbo (the family champion), helping the local VFW with Bingo night and memorial services, bluegrass music, fiddle music (must be influence from the Irish part of the family) camping, and gardening.


Leo enjoyed the adventure of travel. He traveled to Florida, Georgia, Vermont, Fly fishing in Colorado, Visited the historic "Nelson house" in Yorktown Virginia, of whom he was a relative. Rode the Maid of the Mist at Niagara falls New York when he was 87 years young. He played the alto saxophone when he was in the army.


He was an automobile parts manager for Sallee Motor Co in Ava for over twenty years, worked for and retired from Kerr-Gaston Chevy (Zane Gray Chevrolet) in the 80's. He was a Cryptographer in WWII in the Philippines and volunteered for the invasion of Japan. They were ready to load on the ship when word came that the war was over.


When you took him on a trip the was never hungry when you asked him, but Katie bar the door once he had food in front of him! He didn't want much to eat when we were in Kentucky so we got him a sampler platter from Fazoli's......he ate the whole thing! Wasn't hungry in South Carolina, but ate a large bowl of vegetable soup. If he blocked your play in Skipbo he would look over his glasses and smile! Once when he was in the hospital he was singing, he looked up at me and said you didn't know I could sing did you, I said I still don't Dad....he just chuckled!


Leo was a quiet man, not a lot of words, a humble man, and when brought up that he could afford something better he said he was not cheap, but frugal. He rooted for the underdog and tried to help anyone in any way he could. He was well respected by his peers, friends and family.
He never had a bad word to say about anyone, and made friends wherever he went. He kept his sense of humor and positive outlook throughout his life. The world has lost a great man.

Funeral Services for Leo will be Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO, with burial in the Ava Cemetery with military honors by Ava VFW Post 5993 and Ava American Legion Post 112. Visitation will be Monday, August 5th, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Ava VFW for equipment for the disabled, and flag fund for veterans.