Gerald Joseph “Jerry” Nelson, Sr.

Gerald “Jerry” Joseph Nelson, Sr., 90, of Searcy, Arkansas, originally from Beaumont, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. He was born on April 1, 1934, to Emily Lindner Nelson and Francis Nelson in Beaumont, Texas. He was a proud South Park Greenie, Class of 1951, a Texas Aggie, Class of 1955, and a member of the Church of Christ.

Jerry was a spectacular athlete in high school, lettering in baseball, basketball, and football. He helped South Park win the 1951 State Basketball Championship, but baseball was his true love, having grown up watching his father play at the old Stuart Stadium in Beaumont. He was offered numerous scholarships upon graduating high school and accepted a baseball scholarship to Texas A&M College, which would later become Texas A&M University. He helped lead the Aggies to an SWC championship in 1955 and was drafted by the Milwaukee Braves organization. He spent the next nine years playing professional baseball, completing his career in 1965.

During these years, he and his then-wife, Joyce Vick Nelson, traveled across the United States and the world, including Puerto Rico, where—because of his deep faith in the Lord—he baptized many people in the Caribbean Sea.

After baseball, his professional career was primarily in Oil and Gas, where he worked into his seventies before retiring to Searcy, Arkansas, with his wife, Patty, who was by his side at the time of his passing.

Jerry is survived by wife, Patricia Nelson of Searcy, Arkansas; son, Gerald “Jerry” Nelson Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Hamshire; daughter-in-law, Katha Nelson (son, Vick, deceased) of Beaumont; daughter, Sylvia Nelson Andel and her husband, Vince, of Beaumont; and stepson, Ken Ramsey of Weiner, Arkansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Candace Adkins and her husband, Chad, of Mont Belvieu; Gerald “Bubba” Nelson III and his wife, Autumn, of Hamshire; Maggie Neal and her husband, David, of Beaumont; Emma Nelson of Beaumont; Noah Andel of Dallas; Eli Andel of Beaumont; and Elijah Nelson of Beaumont.

Additionally, he is survived by his great-grandchildren: Elise Griffin of Mont Belvieu; Journey Neal of Beaumont; Walker Nelson of Hamshire; Jessa Adkins of Mont Belvieu; Hattie Nelson of Hamshire; Lucy Neal of Beaumont; and August Neal of Beaumont.

Jerry was both an uncle and adoptive father to his sister Carolyn’s children after her passing in 1973: Gene Stewart, Kevin Stewart, Donald Stewart, Kyle Stewart, and Emily Simon.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Emily Lindner Nelson, who passed when he was just 23 days old; father, Francis Nelson; sister, Carolyn Nelson Stewart; brother, Rudy Nelson; and son, Vick Jeffery Nelson.

He deeply loved his dachshund, Barney.

The family wishes to thank Arkansas Hospice, especially nurse Heather, for the wonderful care he received, as well as the staff at The Crossing at Riverside in Searcy. Special appreciation goes to nurses Ashley and Melinda, aide Tammy, who lovingly fed him, and many more of their excellent staff.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to his dear friends in Arkansas who were our eyes, ears, and caring hands when we were so far away: Holly Sutherland, Conlee and Amanda Busselle, and Tammy Baker. You all had a special relationship with Dad, and we are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the 12th Man Foundation in support of The Texas Aggie Baseball Excellence Fund, P.O. Box 2800 College Station, Texas 77841.

A gathering of Mr. Nelson’s family and friends will begin 1:00 p.m. with his funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.