On Saturday, April 10. 2021, Thomas C. Nelson, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 82. Tom was born on February 21, 1939 in Grassflat, PA, to Algot John and Elverda Wick Nelson. After graduating from Cooper Township High School in 1957, Tom pursued a draftsman career at Williamsport Technical Institute in Williamsport, PA and was hired in 1959 by Modern Design in Vestal, NY. On July 14, 1962, he married Janet Irene Nelson.
In 1965 Tom was hired by IBM in Owego, NY where he worked for 29 years as a Mechanical Engineer and then Lockheed Martin in Owego for 5 years. During this time these companies were part of the Federal Systems Division of IBM. Tom designed racks that housed computers in aircraft, tanks, and other military equipment. He had the privilege of working on the Apollo and IEWCS programs. He retired on June 1, 1999 after 34 years of service.
Tom loved sports but was unable to play on teams because of his leg, but he was an excellent coach. He coached 2 years in VJBL for kids learning baseball. He loved softball and was the church softball team coach for 12 years. The team won several championships and the players always called him "Coach" when they saw him years later. He loved football and organized Monday Night Football parties for the young men of the church. His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. After retirement his favorite pass-time was golf.
Tom loved kids and was the Awana Sparks director and game leader for 20 years. For several years the Sparks club took first place at the Sparks-A-Rama. The kids loved him. In fact one girl had a loose tooth and when she came to Awana she wanted Tom to pull it.
Tom had a great sense of humor and was always teasing people. He was a greeter at the church door handing out bulletins. There was a young teen that would come in grumpy and he wouldn't give her a bulletin until she gave him a smile. People loved his sense of humor.
Upon moving to Sun City in Georgetown, Tom was instrumental in establishing a neighborhood golf group called the Hooligans. He also organized a monthly Mexican Train Dominoes game. At Christmas, he organized a group that placed Christmas trees around the meadow of his block.
Tom was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Cedar Park, TX. During his illness he claimed the promise in Isaiah 41:10 and quoted this verse daily. Tom was friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. We are looking forwared to the day when we will be reunited in Heaven.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Algot, and his mother, Elverda. He is survived by his wife Janet of 58 years, his two sons, Thomas Scott/Amy, Todd Alan/Patty, five grandchildren, Andrew, Peter, Charlotte, Luke, Cade and great granddaughter Camilla. Also his three sisters, Marie Krause/Rodger, West Decatur, PA; Joan Royer/Ern, Morrisdale, PA; Jean Gilham/Clay, Philipsburg, PA; three brothers, James Nelson/Linda; Ern Nelson/Marlene; Larry Nelson/Aggie all from Grassflat, PA; along with several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 30th, 2021 at Victory Baptist Church in Cedar Park, TX at 11 o’clock a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's name to the Victory Baptist Church Missions Fund,1775 E. Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
In 1965 Tom was hired by IBM in Owego, NY where he worked for 29 years as a Mechanical Engineer and then Lockheed Martin in Owego for 5 years. During this time these companies were part of the Federal Systems Division of IBM. Tom designed racks that housed computers in aircraft, tanks, and other military equipment. He had the privilege of working on the Apollo and IEWCS programs. He retired on June 1, 1999 after 34 years of service.
Tom loved sports but was unable to play on teams because of his leg, but he was an excellent coach. He coached 2 years in VJBL for kids learning baseball. He loved softball and was the church softball team coach for 12 years. The team won several championships and the players always called him "Coach" when they saw him years later. He loved football and organized Monday Night Football parties for the young men of the church. His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. After retirement his favorite pass-time was golf.
Tom loved kids and was the Awana Sparks director and game leader for 20 years. For several years the Sparks club took first place at the Sparks-A-Rama. The kids loved him. In fact one girl had a loose tooth and when she came to Awana she wanted Tom to pull it.
Tom had a great sense of humor and was always teasing people. He was a greeter at the church door handing out bulletins. There was a young teen that would come in grumpy and he wouldn't give her a bulletin until she gave him a smile. People loved his sense of humor.
Upon moving to Sun City in Georgetown, Tom was instrumental in establishing a neighborhood golf group called the Hooligans. He also organized a monthly Mexican Train Dominoes game. At Christmas, he organized a group that placed Christmas trees around the meadow of his block.
Tom was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Cedar Park, TX. During his illness he claimed the promise in Isaiah 41:10 and quoted this verse daily. Tom was friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. We are looking forwared to the day when we will be reunited in Heaven.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Algot, and his mother, Elverda. He is survived by his wife Janet of 58 years, his two sons, Thomas Scott/Amy, Todd Alan/Patty, five grandchildren, Andrew, Peter, Charlotte, Luke, Cade and great granddaughter Camilla. Also his three sisters, Marie Krause/Rodger, West Decatur, PA; Joan Royer/Ern, Morrisdale, PA; Jean Gilham/Clay, Philipsburg, PA; three brothers, James Nelson/Linda; Ern Nelson/Marlene; Larry Nelson/Aggie all from Grassflat, PA; along with several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 30th, 2021 at Victory Baptist Church in Cedar Park, TX at 11 o’clock a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's name to the Victory Baptist Church Missions Fund,1775 E. Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
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