Curtis Wade Nelson

Curtis Wade Nelson, Sr., 81, of Clinton, South Carolina, entered into his eternal home in Heaven while surrounded by his wife, son and daughter on Monday, August 29, 2016 after a long illness.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 57 years, Virginia Avery Nelson, a son Wade and Angie Nelson, a daughter Wanda and Tim Freeman. He was known as Pop Popby his grandchildren, Chris and Melissa Nelson, Josh and Kristen Nelson, and Justin Freeman, three great-grandchildren, which were his pride and joy, Cayden Wade Nelson, Camden Lily Nelson and Emma Grace Nelson.
Curtis served his country by joining the US Army in June of 1955 becoming a Paratrooper. When asked if he would like an honorable medical discharge three months prior to his return from his tour in Germany, he said "No, I will finish with my company". After returning to the states, he worked at several jobs which included the Torrington Bearings Plant from which he retired with 36 years of service.
Curtis was born August 13, 1935 and was a born again Christian. He was a member of Langston Baptist Church but in his later years attended Bellview Baptist Church. He was a scholar of the Holy Bible and loved to discuss with anyone who visited and his greatest desire was to live a life that would lead others to Christ.
Curtis was a loving Pop Pop who taught all his grandchildren right from wrong and that life would be more fulfilling with God in it. After a long day at work, he enjoyed making memories with his grandchildren and taught them how to build shelters and forts from sticks and pine needles, took them for rides in the "old blue truck" and made his yard a golf course where he never won a round. He dug mud "piddles" and rode all his boys on the John Deere lawnmower.
He leaves behind enough memories and love to last and hold us until we are reunited again. When we think of a "hero", we think of someone who stays the path. They work, take care of their family, teach them and others of the Lord Jesus, helps those they can and does what God would have them do one step at a time. There are heroes who quietly walk amongst us. He will always be "Our Hero".
He is now at peace with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and has met his great-grandson, Landon, for the first time. He reunited with his family which included his parents, Walter and Virginia Baker Nelson and his brother, Donald Frank Nelson, whom he dearly missed, along with grandparents and many cousins.
Visitation will be at Gray Funeral Home, Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at Bellview Baptist Church, 757 Bellview Church Road, Laurens, South Carolina,Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Bellview Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Laurens Baptist Crisis Center, 30 Ranch Road, Laurens, SC 29360 or to the Bellview Baptist Church, Building Fund, 757 Bellview Church Road, Laurens, SC 29360.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton