George Carl Quentin Nelson, Captain, SC, USN (Ret.), 89, has passed from death to life and entered the Church Triumphant. He died peacefully early Friday morning, November 21, 2008 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. His wife, Dina, was at his side.
A native of Randall, Minnesota, he was one of the six Nelson boys born to the late George Otto Nelson and Emma Ida Schwanke Nelson. All four grandparents were immigrants from Norway and Germany. He is also preceded in death by sister, Evelyn and brothers, Vernon, Kenneth and Clement.
George graduated from Little Falls High School (MN) in 1937 and from St. Cloud State Teacher’s College, now University (MN) in 1941. He earned a Master’s degree from Indiana University. George was a scholar, athlete and leader. His faith was lifelong, unwavering and guided his conduct.
He served during WWII, the Korean conflict and Vietnam. He retired in March 1974 after 32 years of honorable service.
After Pearl Harbor, George enlisted in the Navy and received a commission from the Navy Supply School, Harvard.
His most impacting duty was to the 24th. Naval Construction Battalion (the Sea Bees), Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. They made the crossing from Rendova to Munda and built the airfield from which the first B-29’s operated to bomb Rabaul and later Japan. They were bombed and strafed constantly with heavy casualties. The unit also served on Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands. George was the last surviving officer of the 24th. He rotated to Noumea, New Caledonia before returning stateside to pick up a ship and immediately return to the South Pacific. The USS Schyler (AK-209) was operating in Phillippine waters at wars end and was one of the first ships to arrive in Yokosuka, Japan. They were ordered to Shanghai, China for eight months then returned to Yokosuka, Japan where they encountered a typhoon in the China Sea which destroyed two Navy destroyers and one destroyer escort. In April 1946, his ship took a Japanese crew aboard to train, decommissioned the Schyler, and transferred the ship to Japan. George often told Dina those 32 months in the South Pacific seemed as long as the rest of his life.
He was privileged to serve two tours aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Salem (CA 139) as the Supply Officer. The Salem was the Flagship of the 6th. Fleet and is now the centerpiece of the U.S. Shipbuilding Museum, Hingham, Mass. George was attached to the Secretary of Defense Office and finished his career as Inspector General, worldwide, Navy Supply Systems Command, Washington, DC.
Upon retirement he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, archaeology and was a student of history always. He and Dina traveled by RV full-time for four years and part-time for eighteen years. He loved the open road, the freedom and beauty of the USA.
George is survived by Dina Vance Nelson, his devoted wife of 35 years. Sister, Norma and brothers, Lyle and Dennis of Randall, MN also cherish his memory.
The mother of his children was Caroline Helen Wendlandt, deceased. He will be missed by his children, Linda Fisher and her husband, Don, of Fernandina Beach, FL; Greg of Herndon, VA; Vicki Swindell and her husband, John, of Jacksonville Beach, FL; Larry and his wife, Wendy, of Ganges, Salt Spring Island, B.C., Canada; and Beth Nelson, Jacksonville Beach, FL. There are ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, all special and dear to him.
A funeral service will be held 10:30AM, Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 10 N. Liberty Street, Asheville, NC 28801. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment with full military honors will follow at Lewis Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark’s Benevolent Foundation, 10 N. Liberty Street, Asheville, NC 28801; J.F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville, NC 28803 or VFW Post 9073, 401 Pacific Avenue, Randall, MN 56475, where George was a life member.
