oseph Dale “Dickie” Nelson, 83, of the pioneer Nelson-Turner family, died October 29, 2017. He was born to Kate Miller Nelson and Joseph Dickerson Nelson at Morton Plant Hospital on April 28, 1934. His grandfather, Albert Sydney Nelson came to Clearwater Harbor after the Civil War and married Carrie Turner. Dickie graduated from Largo High School and worked over 30 years for Florida Power retiring as a senior mechanic, working at the Belcher Road location.
Family
He married June Williams on August 11, 1957 and they had 4 children, Dale (Elanea) Nelson, Kim (Jim) Rudolph, Jimmy (Amy) Nelson and Landa Nelson. Additionally he is survived by his sister, Marilyn Bates, eight grandchildren, Joe and Ben Nelson, Jimmy and Joel Rudolph, Clayton Nelson, Kenny and Phil Philabaum and Luke Howland. He is also survived by his six great-grandchildren, Lucas, Laila, Maylene, Jane, Juliette and Darcy.
Life
Dickie loved NASCAR racing and was considered an expert short track mechanic. The happiest years of his life were when he was part of the crew of the burnt orange late model “FOUR”, a longtime fan favorite at Sunshine Speedway, owned by Kenny Faircloth and driven by Jim Fenton. Jim and Kenny and many others were very much a part of his “garage” family. Together, they won the Florida State Late Model Championship in 1979 beating racing superstar Dick Trickle, by passing him on the 98th lap of a 100-lap feature. He was a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan. He loved his family. He had a special attachment to the 10 acres in Clearwater that he lived and raised his family on. Very little made him as happy as watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play on the property that he and his sister Marilyn inherited from his parents and grandparents and played on as a child. Dickie always carried a gas can and a towing rope in his truck. He repaired many cars and trucks for people he never knew that were broke down on the road.
Memorial services will be private. Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Contributions can be made in his memory to “Operation Toy Soldier” PO Box 4122, Bay Pines, FL 33744.
Kim and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry for your loss. May your memories of your father always keep him close to your heart.
We will miss you Papa. Love you.
Dickey was a friend to Beverly & me. As a neighbor to 1st Assembly we saw him often & we always had interesting banter. He repaired our cars, helped us get a car ready for our 16 year old daughter. He loved his family & he will be missed.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. I have pictures of when Rachel was little and we were hanging out by your dads garage. He always was so kind as to let us take AJ fishing on the property when he was little. I know you all have such good memories of your dad, grandpa and husband. Prayers as you go through this difficult time.
I cannot say enough positive things about this man. Dickie not only spent countless hours helping us win many races, points championships and ultimately the crown jewel, the Governor’s Cup Race in 1979 he was more than that to me. He enriched my life more like a brother or father would encouraging me through good times and bad. One case in point I will never forget is the many hours we talked in the dark outside his shop on the tailgate of his pickup while he was shoring me up in 1977 after our son was critically injured by a hit-n-run driver. Things like that stretch a relationship above and beyond just a normal friendship. You will live in our hearts and minds forever. Goodbye and Godspeed my friend. Jim & Linda Fenton.
To the Nelson Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Dickie’s passing. He has such a rich history within thef Clearwater community.. What a great man, loved his family, helped strangers and praised God. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Kim and all the Nelson family..We are so sorry for your loss. I know first hand that losing a parent is very hard. We pray that God will comfort you all, as only He can. We love your family and know that time will heal but right now pray that God will give you strength.
I am so sorry for all of you in loss of your Dad,I pray for all of you. I have been with you all for many yrs,your mom and dad helped raising me,I was 8 yrs old and now 66 yrs. old..I learned a lot from both of them. May God bless all of you..Dickie you rest in piece now !!!
Love you all Patty
I always enjoyed visiting Dickie while I lived on the church property.He always helped me with whatever problem I had at the time.So sorry for your loss. He was a great man.
It was such a pleasure knowing Dickie. He was a great guy! So sorry for the news, may God bring comfort and peace to his family.
I was so sad to hear that Dickie passed away. Our prayers are with all the family during this difficult time. We both loved Dickie very much. He was always helpful when it came to fixing our cars and as quick to tell you if it was hopeless! But he always seemed to fix them anyway! 😄 He was a true guardian of his property and anything going on at the church. I believe in my heart Dickie accepted the Lord in his final days. He had a very tender heart that he tried to hide, but you could see the tenderness in his face. We will miss Dickie but happy to see him one day again. Love and prayers! Pastor Bruce and LaDon
Rest easy friend,hope there is cold beer and racing up there
Love you bunches, will miss you.
Xoxo Carrie Smith and family
We love you & miss you Pop. Love always, Jimbo & Amy.
Fond memories of a great guy who took care of our vehicles for many years and always had a friendly smile and a warm heart.
Dickie you will be missed
I KNOW heaven will be a fun place with you up up there Dickie. I think about how many times ,we sat & giggled when together. I still laugh out LOUD when I TELL ANYONE about our dancing together when we were in that play in the third grade..that was really hilarious!and i REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE IN MRS. EVANS ENGLISH CLASS AND YOU WERE GIVING a BOOK
BOOK REPORT & KEPT USING THE WORD SNUCL – SHE KEPT SLAMMING THAT BIG OLE RULER ON YOUR DESK & ONCE AGAIN TOLD YOU
there WAS NO SUCH WORD. SO MANY MEMORIES. kNOW THAT YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. OUR BEST TO YOUR FAMILY
Jeanette Hudson Geiger & Husband Frank
JD & Family, sorry to hear about your loss, glad I got to know your father it was honor to have known and spent time with him. Although I didn’t spend alot of time at the shop, the time I did will always be a fond memory… AL Whitlock
I am so sorry to hear about Dickie. No more pain or suffering for him. Walk with god and the angels Dickie. I hope you kids are all ok and take care of one another. Rita
I’m so sorry for your loss. Dickie was a good neighbor to me. He helped me several times when I needed it. He always blew the horn when he passed my house going home every afternoon from the shop. I will always miss that.we had some good conversations at his shop.
Growing up on New Jersey St, we always heard the stories of Mr. Dickie .. He always had a kind word and the biggest heart, God is blessing him now for all the ways he helped people, those he knew and even ones he didnt.
I love y’all and God Bless your family during this time ..
Dear June and Family, My heart goes out to you on your loss, I can still recall in High School you wishing the classes would get OVER WITH so you could be with “Dickie” the rest of the day… How blessed you were to have had him all these years, and have a wonderful family with him. I think of you often, although I haven’t kept in touch . (my maiden name was Williams , my Mom’s name was Evelyn,I think your Dad was “shorty” Williams if I’m not mistaken and you had my late Mom and I over to help celebrate his Birthday at your home many years ago along with several other friends he had worked with at one time. It was such a wonderful “party” with covered dishes from the participants. call me sometime (727) 581-4502 if I’m not home leave a message and your # and I’ll get back to you.
Warmest Regards, Nancy A. VanWinkle
I will always cherish the relationship I had with Dickie. I got to see the soft spot in his heart. And I sure will miss being called Dingbat. -Nick
We love Dickie and his entire family. Our love and prayers are with you all during this time. -Becca
Dickie you would have loved hearing your kids and grandchildren tell stories about you today. You were loved.
Dear Kim and Jim and Family,
The Opus Peace Team is wrapping you in prayer in this sad time of loss and adjustment.
Our hearts are with you.
Dad,
I miss your voice.
I miss your smile.
I miss how much you loved me.
I miss you so very much.
Missing you so much. Wish you could call me and ask me to pick you up some Jolly Ranchers. 💙