ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: NELSON, REX E. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: D.T. Williams Funeral Home Died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= NELSON, REX E. On Wednesday March 5, 2013 at 4:50am, Rex E. Nelson took his first step of his final journey into eternity at the age of 85. He was surrounded by his wife of 62 years Ruby Fleming Nelson, and their family. Mr. Nelson enjoyed a long military career that included a tour of duty in the US Navy during World War II and 23 years in the Coast Guard that included tours during the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam. Rex retired from Military service in 1970 with the rank of Senior Chief. In 1971 Rex began his new career by volunteering his life to serving others. Rex continued serving until he was physically unable to, due to Perkinson’s disease. Over his long years of service, Rex was a Mississippi Nail Bender and helped to build over 150 churches across the U.S. He was a member of the Southern Baptist Spiritual Lay Renewal Weekend program and went on over 250 weekends. In addition, he went on mission trips through the Southern Baptist Mission Board to foreign countries which included Jamaica, Honduras, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Rex also aided in the building of 38 Habitat for Humanity Houses. Rex enjoyed serving the Slidell area, Volunteering at Community Christian concern for over 20 years. Rex never met a stranger and everyone who met him was left with a lasting impression of his compassion and kindness. He served as a deacon at Evans Creek Southern Baptist Church. Rex was a man of integrity and lived his faith. Rex was preceded in death by his parents Oledrick and Arta Nelson, a sister Mabel Armsrong, two brothers , Glenn Nelson and Oscar Nelson of Boise, Idaho. Rex is survived by his brother, George Nelson; his loving and faithful wife , Ruby Fleming Nelson; their 3 children , Mary Leake (Beau), Lee Ann Davenport(Bob), Craig Nelson (Beth); their 8 grandchildren Christopher Davenport(Amelia), Shawn Fontenelle, Johnathon Davenport(Katie), Jordan Fontenelle, Matthew Davenport(fiance’ Chelsea Boatright), Lacy Fontenelle Trust(Eric), Danielle Nelson(fiance’ Jamey Bainer), and Hillary Nelson and their 12 great grandchildren Hope, Dakota, Gavin, Meghan, Alyssa, Nathan, Kristen, Hollie, Lauren , Jude, and Sadie. The family would like to thank the incredible team of Lake Shore Hospice for the love, dedication, and care given to Rex, you are all amazing. Services will be held at Williams Funeral Home , Highway 41, Pearl River , LA. Visitation is on, Thursday March 7, 2013 form 6-9pm. Funeral Services will be held March 8, 2013 at 10am. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. ===================