Rick Nelson
Ava, MO

Ricky Paul Nelson, 55 years, 2 months, and 9 days old, passed to heaven on August 29, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO.

Rick was born June 20, 1959 in Springfield, MO to Herbert Calvin and Velma "Dean" (Mathes) Nelson. He graduated from Bradleyville High School and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from College of the Ozarks in Hollister, MO.

Rick was a lifelong resident of Ava, Missouri. He was a High School History Teacher and taught at Bradleyville High School for 11 years.

He was a Christian and of the Baptist Faith. Rick enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding four wheelers with his family, collecting case knives, reading, movies and visiting with everyone.

Rick was preceded by his father, Herbert in 2002, his grandparents, Robert and Maude Nelson and Ralph and Ethel Mathes.

Rick is survived by his mother, "Dean" Nelson, Ava, MO, sister, Debbie Whitaker, Ava, niece & husband, Mandy & Trey Lehmann, Ava, MO, nephew & wife, Randall & Sara Whitaker, Oldfield, MO, great nieces and nephews, Alex, Amy and Kasey Lehmann, Carlie and Shelby Whitaker, uncles and aunts and many other relatives and friends.


Funeral services for Rick will be Monday, September 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial in the Union Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. Frances Humbyrd and Rev. Tom Hodges. Memorials may be made to Neighbor Helping Neighbor.