Warren Allan Nelson

Warren Allan Nelson, 86, of Missoula, passed away at his home on Monday, November 14, 2022 after suffering a short illness and complications from Parkinson’s disease. Warren was born on December 31, 1935 in Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois to the late Vernon Peter Nelson and Eva Leona McCoy Nelson. Warren grew up in Alsip, Illinois and graduated from Blue Island High School (Dwight D. Eisenhower High School) in 1954.

Two years after graduating from high school, Warren joined the Army in 1956 and served as a paratrooper in the 82^nd Airborne Division. After the army Warren moved to Dayton, Ohio to be near family. There Warren married Florence Gertrude “Sue” Johnson on November 24, 1961 and together they raised three children Julie, John and Dan in Dayton, OH and in Shreveport and Baton Rouge, LA.

After raising their children, Warren and Sue moved to Dallas, TX where Warren worked in the automotive industry until retiring to their beloved lake house on Cedar Creek Lake in Gun Barrel City, TX. They spent several years remodeling the lake house, enjoying sunset cruises, fishing on the lake and time with Danny’s children Megan, Cody and Chelsea. Warren and Sue then moved to Jacksonville, FL to be near John, his wife Nancy and their daughter Abigail. Shortly after arriving in Jacksonville, they both went back to work part-time at Alimacani Elementary School where Warren worked early morning and afternoon shifts in the school’s Extended Day program while Sue served as a reading tutor. The onset of some health issues prompted their second retirement and move to Missoula, MT to be with Julie and Allan for the final chapter of both of their lives.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Sur, his brother Vernon Alonzo Nelson and his beloved sister-in-law Shirley Nelson.  Warren is survived by his identical twin brother William Arnold Nelson of Santa Fe, TX; two sons, John Nelson (Nancy) of Jacksonville, FL and Danny Nelson of Corsicana, TX; one daughter, Julie Cannon and husband, Allan Mozingo of Missoula, MT; two grandchildren, Abigail Clarkson (Abby) and Chelsea Martinez (Kirk); step-granddaughter, Meagan Burleson (Justin); step-grandson, Cody Carmichael and great-grandchildren, Josh, Mason, Sam, Alexa, Nathaniel and Rhianna.

A private memorial service and celebration of life will be held in Texas the Spring of 2023, hopefully with a sunset pontoon ride on Cedar Creek Lake.

Warren’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to his many friends and extended family in Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Florida and Montana who helped make his long life so full and happy.

In addition, the family would like to thank all his beloved caregivers, especially Anna, JoJo, Bonnie and Tami who over the years and in his final days helped him live independently and safely despite his 7-year struggle with Parkinson’s Disease – they filled his days with energy, adventures, comfort and joy.

Additional thanks to the staff at Missoula Aging Services and the Veteran Directed Care Program, the Sugar Glider team at the Missoula VA Clinic, St. Pat’s neurology and physical therapy teams, and Hestia Home Advantage who initially provided in-home care for Warren and Sue and whose hospice care team made his final days peaceful and more bearable for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Davis Phinney Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting people living with Parkinson’s, or to your local veterans support organization.