Douglas Avron Nelson
Douglas Nelson Obituary
Douglas Avron Nelson Jr. went home to be with His Lord and Savior unexpectedly on the morning of January 26, 2021 at the age of 63.
Douglas (Doug) was born August 30, 1957 to Douglas Avron Nelson Sr. and Barbara Jane (Johnson) Nelson in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the first of six children and bore much of the responsibility for their care at an early age.
Doug leaves behind the love of his life Melissa (Lisa) Martin Nelson after 46 years of marriage, 3 children he adored, Melanie (Nelson) Beden, Moriah (Nelson) Baker (Jerry) and Jonathan Douglas Storm Nelson. He had 5 grandchildren, Ashley, Alyssa, Breeanna, Madisyn, Justin and 1 great grandson, Theodore. He is also survived by his 3 younger brothers, William Nelson, Robert Nelson, Ernest Nelson (Judy) ,and 2 younger sisters Pamela (Nelson) Miller (Don), Denita Nelson. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and younger sister Carolyn, as well as his niece Jazzymyne.
Doug held an A.S. degree in Applied Science. He was a project superintendent for Orion Construction and he loved his job.
Doug bravely enlisted in the elite 82nd Airborne division of the United States Army at the young age of 17. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He earned the Parachute Badge as well as the M-16 Sharp-shooter badge. Doug received an honorable discharge and continued to be a courageous, fearless, incredibly hard worker and devout family man throughout his entire life.
Doug had been attending Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Throughout the years he served the Lord through teaching Sunday school and guiding the youth. He readily devoted his construction expertise and labor freely while helping to build the addition on First Freewill Baptist Church in Kalamazoo Michigan.
Doug was a loyal, brave, self- sacrificing man with a great sense of humor and loved by all. You are missed now and will be for the rest of our lives.
Doug will receive military honors and be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery in a private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in his name be made to the GoFundMe website.
