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Obituary (NC): Harold Marvin Nelson '57

Posted on 10/24/2018

Harold "Hal" M. Nelson, 85, of Sneads Ferry, died Monday, October 15, 2018, at Stonebridge in Hampstead.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Infant of Prague Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Committal services, with military honors, will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Hal's parents were Finnish, and he did not speak English until he was six. Finnigan was his nickname in school. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps which led to an appointment to the Naval Academy. He graduated in 1975. In his 30 years in the Corps, some duty stations were Chinese Language School, National Security Agency, Vietnam and Recruiting Duty. Some of his service awards include the Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge and Defense Superior Service Medal.

In 1959, he married the love of his life, Maxine. Together they made a perfect couple; Maxine picking the strawberries and blueberries – Hal making the jam.

After retiring, he enjoyed fishing, reading and gardening. He also served as President of the HOA, twice the Shrimp Festival Chairman, treasurer of St. Christopher's Church and proud local member of the Rotary.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Nelson of the home; three children, Maureen Harris and her husband, Tim of Falls Church, VA, Brad Nelson of Richmond, VA and Gregory Nelson of Italy; and Bubba's loving grandchildren, Alana, Clare and Adam.

A special thank you is extended to all the caregivers at Stonebridge in Hampstead for their loving care.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Eastern NC Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Electronic condolences may be left for the family at Jonesfh.org.

Jones Funeral Home & Crematory
303 Chaney Ave
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-1281

Published in Jacksonville Daily News from Oct. 17 to Oct. 18, 2018