Wayne Nelson's Obituary
Wayne Nelson, 91, of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Born in Hamlin, Iowa, Wayne grew up in Des Moines and spent summers at the Nielsen family farm in Kimballton. He attended Iowa State University and then served seven years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. After his service, he moved to Texas as part of a mechanical engineering team at Collins Radio in Richardson. He lived most of his adult life in Richardson with his wife and daughters before moving to Presbyterian Village North (PVN) senior community in 2019.
Wayne married Caroline Marie Morley in Dallas on May 20, 1960. They were married 51 years before Caroline’s death in 2011. Wayne was a loving husband and a true family man. Everything he did was in love and support of his wife and three daughters Jenni, Karen and Amy. He was an exceptional and devoted caregiver to Caroline in her final years.
Wayne was a man of great faith. He was a devout Christian with a passion for prayer and study of scripture. For more than 50 years he was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Richardson, Texas. There he taught Sunday school and served several terms on the church Session and various other committees. During his time at PVN, he led a men’s Bible Study and mentored others in pursuit of faith.
Wayne loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He attended school, sports and church events and never missed a Grandparents’ Day. Later in life he enjoyed being the patriarch of the annual summer beach trip to Florida. These trips included children, grandchildren, extended family and special friends. People loved his dry sense of humor, his generosity and his kind, gentle spirit.
Wayne is survived by his daughters Jenni and husband Joe Ferreira of Houston, their daughter Julia and wife Laura, and son Joshua and wife Caroline; Karen and husband Stan Kroder of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; and Amy and husband Andrew Barker of Dallas, and their sons Tweed, Drew and Jack. He also is survived by his cousin Paulette Hansen of Kimballton, Iowa.
We will remember and celebrate Wayne at a memorial service Monday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, 271 North Walton Street at LaSalle, Richardson, Texas, 972.235.2316.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests donating in Wayne’s honor to the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center (https://www.faithpreshospice.org/support/) or to the PVN Foundation (https://pvnfoundation.org/).
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