David Rogers Nelson III
David Rogers Nelson III, our brother and friend, died bravely on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, at Harbor Hospice of Beaumont, Texas, after a more than ten-year battle with Parkinson’s.
If our father had been here, he’d have reminded us that it was Pearl Harbor Day.
Daddy—who was David Rogers Nelson Jr., also known as “Paw Paw”—had served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. When that war ended, he’d come home, married Alice Carroll Hunter, the prettiest, funniest girl in Beaumont (where everyone called her “Kissy”), and together the two of them had produced eleven children, beginning with David III.
They called us Baby Boomers.
David grew up handsome, hilarious, huge-hearted, and incredibly bossy, as only a big brother of six younger sisters and four younger brothers can be. If we hadn’t all been sworn to secrecy multiple times in the 50’s and 60’s, we could tell you hair-raising stories of our adventures.
(Just be on the lookout for ancient evidence of turf wars at Ranch Number Eight, out present-day Major Drive, where horses occasionally ran away with small children or got stuck in the legendary drainage ditches of Southeast Texas.)
(Check first with Tommy Peterson and Joe Bob Kinsel.)
In spite of his misspent (but highly entertaining) youth, David graduated with an excellent record from St. Anne School and Monsignor Kelly High School, where he was Vice President of his class, appeared in school plays, and was briefly on the football team. He later loved to tell the story of actually catching a pass in one game, much to his surprise, and running so fast that he could hear the wind rushing past his ears and was sure he’d made a touchdown, until he saw the frowns on the crowd’s faces as they waved their arms at him and yelled “GO BACK! YOU’RE RUNNING THE WRONG WAY!”
Then came a short career at Texas A&M and a completed one at Lamar University, where he became a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, earned a sensible degree in Business, and avoided all sports except fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and meeting as many girls as possible.
David had a distinguished career in the insurance business with David R. Nelson and Company and Golden Eagle Financial Group. He married Dale Martin in his early twenties, had two beautiful daughters, Katherine Dale and Elizabeth Cullen Nelson, and was devastated when that marriage failed. And then in the early 80’s he met and married Terri Fox, the love of his life, and became a devoted father all over again to his youngest daughter, Ashley Theresa Nelson.
And then came the ranch—his childhood dream come true—not far from Spindletop, Beaumont’s miracle gusher. The dream that would never have come true without Terri. Nelson Cattle Ranch, the two of them called it, with Tom and Annie Hunter Lake just past the entrance gate, named for Kissy’s father and mother, and Lake Kalibash behind the house, named for the girls—Kack and Liz and Ashley. The ranch! And David the Cowboy for real! And year after year of hard work and growth and Beef Masters of America, and peacocks on the rooftop and lake after new lake and the best and most gigantic Easter parties in history, complete with barrel races and whistling contests and David’s tap dancing and step dancing and song singing and hundreds of relatives and friends and children of all ages, who will never forget those magical memories in a million years.
Thank you, David! Thank you, Terri! Thank you, dear Lord, for your beautiful boy child from Beaumont, who’s come home at last, to sing and dance and whistle and tap dance with Paw Paw and Kissy and all our friends and relatives—so many of them now—who’ve made it there before us.
Here are the family names—in heaven and on earth— (and we love you all and are praying we haven’t accidentally left anybody out):
David III and Terri’s children and their families: Katherine Dale Nelson Davis, her husband, Scott Davis, and their children, Austin, Andrew, and Grace Katherine Davis; Elizabeth Cullen Nelson; Ashley Theresa Nelson Burk, her husband, Henry Burk, and their children, Mae Elizabeth, Theresa Katherine, and Nolan Rogers Burk; David III’s sisters and brothers: Theresa and Kevin Cooney and family; Frances and Tim Arnoult and family; Hunter and Betsy Nelson and family; Mary Pat and Marty Gross; Carroll and Jeff Patrizi and family; Annie and Wayne Kansas and family; Jane and Joe Bob Kinsel and family; James Keith and Cindy Nelson and family; John Henry Nelson and family; William and Carrie Grass Nelson and family; Terri’s mother, Dorothy C. Fox; her father (deceased) Norwood P. Fox; Terri’s sisters: Tracy Fox Mistrot and husband Bobby Mistrot and family; Tami Fox Nunez and husband Steve Nunez and family.
We love you all!
Thank you so much, dear family and friends, and special thanks to the extraordinary helpers and everyone at Synergy and Harbor Hospice.
God bless us, every one!!
A gathering of Mr. Nelson’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a time of sharing at 5:45 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2024, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont. Cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary McFaddin Ave.
- 2000, Mcfaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- December 12, 2024
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Time of Sharing
Broussard’s Mortuary McFaddin Ave.
- 2000, Mcfaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- December 12, 2024
- 5:45 pm
Memorial Mass
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- December 13, 2024
- 2:00 pm
Committal
Broussard’s Crematorium
- 5150, Stivers Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77705,
After Ed Edson there was only one other legend, Dave Nelson
The funniest guy I’ve ever known.
After Ed Edson there was only one other legend, Dave Nelson
The funniest guy I’ve ever known.
David was always the life of the party even when there wasn’t a party. I remember eating breakfast with David in Winnie before going Duck hunting. We always discussed old high school pranks during those., brief; enjoyable encounters. David was my friend and I’ll miss him.
A devoted and dedicated servant who was loved by all and always the life of the party.
We know you are already entertaining everyone in heaven. Gods speed my friend!
It was an honor and a privilege to be allowed into the Nelson home to help care for David. After earning his trust we had many laughs, a few tears, and a few trips (chases) around the ranch. David Nelson you will always be one of my favorite hospice patients.
Terri you took excellent care of him. Although not always easy, you maintained his dignity, showed him love and support, and occasionally let him think he was the boss.
I will miss my weekly visits with you both but will never forget the love you both showed me. Love you, Cathy
Known as Little David so as not to be confused with my beloved Uncle David.
A wonderful person Little David and so much fun to be around.
Here’s to you cousin and friend!
Say hello to my Mom & Dad and Gran.
Terri and Family
IMAGINE
Stepping onto a shore and finding it heaven
IMAGINE
taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s hand
IMAGINE
breathing new air and finding it celestial air
IMAGINE
feeling invigorated and finding it immortality
IMAGINE
passing from storm & tempest to an unknown calm
IMAGINE
walking and finding it home (author unknown)
Much Love & Prayers, Susie & Wayne McDermand
My dear cousin David, you were my closest cousin in age. I will miss your crazy personality and humorous antics! I always looked forward to seeing you and Theresa at our family reunions (my closest cousins!) I never knew what you were going to say next … and some of it was quite risqué but always funny! I’m so sorry you are leaving us so soon. Give a big hug to my Laura, sisters, parents and all of our relatives! I know you’re having a blast now and that gives me comfort. 💖
A new CLE, Chief of Laughter and Entertainment, has recently arrived in heaven. David was always ahead of many of us, and I do not recall him ever cutting in line. RIP forever!
Prayers for the Nelson family. David was my fraternity brother and we had many fun times. He always had great sense of humor he will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear of David’s passing. It was always a fun time when he was in the mix. He never missed an opportunity to tell a joke and was the one who laughed the loudest at it. RIP, David.
Will really miss my visits with David. And Terri, you and all of y’all’s family are in my prayers.
Rest in peace my friend!
Sorry to hear about David’s passing. He was always so kind. He’ll be missed. God be with the Nelson Family.
Terri, Sandy and my prayers and sympathy to you and your family at this time. a lot of great memories.
Knowing and having David as a friend has been quite an experience. Many good times enjoyed with such a wide circle of friends. David will certainly be missed by many. Terri, Donna and I have you in our prayers.
Heaven has gained a kind and gentle man. My loss was, after many invites, I didn’t take the time to visit.
Condolences to family and friends.
I hope is going well.
May Gods Grace and Peace be with the Nelson Family. always .
Chris squez
Peace and Strength, Love and hope be with all the Nelson’s and their families. May Gods Grace be forever with you .
The leader of the pack has gone home to rest.
Vaya con dios Brother David
You have been loved
You will be missed
Cathy David Jane Catherine Savanna
David you have been my friend since the first grade at St Anne’s all the way through graduation at Kelly. I will always remember your great sense of humor and your robust laugh which could be heard anywhere in the building.
You were one of a kind great guy.
Arlene and my thoughts and prayers are with you Terri and all of David’s siblings.
So sorry to hear this. RIP. ✌️
Terri, I’m praying you through this time of sharing your memories and drawing close to family.
We will miss you and you were so loved by so many. I have so many wonderful memories growing up with you and your family. May the good Lord wrap his arms around your family and bring peace and comfort. With deepest sympathy and love
Margi and Rocky
Rest in peace, David, you have been a great friend throughout all these years ! The Kelly Class of 65 will hopefully meet again n heaven!
My dear ole friend. My you rest in peace.