Charles Henry (Chuck) Nelson

Charles Henry (Chuck) Nelson, age 79, of Gautier, MS, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

Chuck was a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota and a longtime resident of Gautier. He attended the University of Minnesota and was a Veteran of the United States Army. While serving in the Army, he completed the Multi-Engine Tandem Rotor Helicopter repair course and received the highest academic score in his class. Chuck was employed by FMC and was assigned to duty at Ingalls Shipbuilding. He received the Aegis Excellence Award for outstanding performance as Naval Ordinance Department representative for the Mark 26 Missile launching system. He was an onsite manager for BAE Systems. He was the first certified test director for the MK41 Vertical Launch System.

Chuck enjoyed working on old cars. He was a remote-control boat and airplane enthusiast. He was also a licensed pilot. He was a 39-year member of the Pascagoula Elk Lodge No. 1120, a member of the Goldwing Road Riders Association Chapter B, and King Osiris for the Krewe of Isis in 1994.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Henrietta Nelson.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Pat; children, Allen Nelson (Cassandra Bishop) and Charla Nelson; grandchildren, Chance Nelson, Grace Nelson, Jack Nelson, Savannah Windham (Blake), Aydan Bishop, and Elijah Bishop; brother, Rick Nelson (Jean); sisters, Debbie Cummings (Bill) and Joyce Gotch; several nephews and nieces; and a very special dog, Sparky.

The Nelson family would like to extend a thank you to Debbie Gill, Marion Trigg, Tiffany Nelson, and Steve Vlahos.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Chuck with donations to the Jackson County Animal Shelter, 4400 Audubon Lane, Gautier, MS.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 12, 2022, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit an hour prior.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Charles Henry (Chuck) Nelson.