Floyd Paul Nelson

Obituary of Floyd Nelson Floyd Paul Nelson of Leesburg died peacefully early Saturday morning on January 24, 2015 at the age of (96). Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to immigrant Norwegian parents, Floyd was the youngest family member of three boys and one girl. His mother died when he was a young boy and he was raised during the depression era by a father who spoke broken English and his older siblings. Floyd excelled at sports during high school and at NW University, and competed in Hockey, Boxing, and Platform Diving, (which he competed in nationally while preparing for the Olympics). His plans for the Olympics were interrupted when he was called upon to serve his country and was drafted into military service during World War II. During his military service Floyd served with the First Armored Division. He sailed on the Queen Mary to Ireland to train and made the initial invasion of North Africa. During his service in North Africa he fought in key battles in Algeria, Tunisia and in Kasserine Pass against the German Africa Korps. He was later wounded severely during a tank battle, and was later rescued in a nearby French village weeks later by an American unit, badly burned and barely alive. Floyd survived and returned home to meet his wife of (64) years, Shirley Nelson. They settled in Minnesota, where they spent their early years, before raising a family and moving to South Dakota, Arizona, Colorado and Florida. Floyd worked as a mechanical engineer with Martin Marietta, Grumman, Chrysler, and on several programs, to include the Gemini and Apollo programs at Cape Canaveral. After retirement he and Shirley spent their summers at the cabin in northern Minnesota, visiting their grandchildren Andrew and Ryan in California, and working at the Nelson farm in Chuluota. They taught Ballroom Dancing, played Bridge with friends, interacted with community events, and laughed and enjoyed life to the fullest. Floyd was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Nelson, his brothers Ray Nelson, Art Nelson, and sister Evelyn. He is survived by his daughter Culiece Nelson of Melbourne Beach, his son Tait Nelson of Chuluota, and son Keven Nelson of Temecula, California, and two grandsons Andrew and Ryan Nelson. He will be greatly missed by all who new him. Floyd was an amazing and talented person, a great man, and the most wonderful and loving father. God Bless you father, may you have the peace you deserve.