John Ivar Nelson,

July 4, 1921–Jan. 13, 2012

(Westminster, Colo., RPC)

John was a loved and respected man who, with his dear wife, Marie, moved to Colorado in 2001 and joined our Westminster congregation. He was a gentle and caring person who lived a full life characterized by humble service to his family, community, and his Lord Jesus Christ. Due to his declining health, we did not get to fully learn what a rich life he led prior to moving to Colorado. However, much of these details are recounted below by Pastor David Coon, White Lake, N.Y., RPC.—John Duke, Westminster RPC

John grew up in Coldenham, N.Y., where he had many happy experiences and memories with farms, animals, tractors and cars.

John proudly served in the Air Force in WWII in England. He was a tail gunner in a B-17 bomber and had many harrowing experiences over Germany during the war. He knew that God had a continued purpose for his life after one particular experience. They were usually the lead plane on bombing missions. On this particular mission, they developed engine trouble and had to drop out, with the second-in-command taking the point. During the bomb run, that lead plane took a direct hit. John had peace after that experience because he knew the hand of God was upon his life, and he spent the rest of his life living up to that. Their two sons, Allan and Bruce, became active in the life of the Coldenham-Newburgh RPC. This in turn drew John and Marie to begin to attend worship there and participate in Bible studies.

Following the war he developed an extensive janitorial business. John patiently trained many young people how to do the job right and in a timely manner. In the 1970s he began working with handicapped persons at a facility in Sullivan County. He taught various handicapped adults in the janitorial program. Marie worked there as a nurse. As plans began to take shape to revitalize the White Lake RPC, John and Marie moved to Sullivan County in 1979 and took a leading part. When the congregation was reorganized, John was elected, ordained and installed as a ruling elder and clerk of session. His welcome smile and genuine concern for people were put to good use in building a tight-knit church family. His gentle spirit and wisdom helped resolve many problems. His daughter, Wendy (Pratt), could tell you how he fostered her interest in horses and showmanship. John had a way with bringing out the best in his horses. He had learned this in his early days and continued this until he left Sullivan County for Colorado in 2001 to be close to Wendy.

During his time at White Lake, he traded jobs at the handicapped facility (Sullivan ARC) for teaching a janitorial program at a maximum-security prison in the area. Christian inmates soon realized they had a true friend in Mr. Nelson. Should any foul-mouthed inmate want to receive training, they were soon advised by the more senior believers that Mr. Nelson didn’t curse, nor did he tolerate anyone else using that language. Wherever John went, he was recognized and appreciated for his integrity and well-worn wisdom.

John was a personal friend whom I admired and relied on. It was actually through an act of kindness for a fellow program manager at the ARC that he needed my help on a small project for that woman’s children. It turned out that this project was for the children of the lady who was to become my wife, Cathy.

When John and Marie decided they needed some extra support and moved to be near Wendy, we let them go with a deep appreciation and sweet sorrow of how God had used them in our lives—and prayed His rich blessing on the years remaining to them. They truly loved the Lord and sought to be of use in the building of Christ’s kingdom.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15).

—Pastor David Coon, White Lake, N.Y., RPC