Rodney Gerald Nelson

Rodney Gerald Nelson, 75, died Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at his home in New Braunfels, Texas, after a brief battle with an aggressive cancer. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Joan (Wilkinson) Nelson; his daughter Leslie Brooks and husband Michael; his son, John Nelson and wife Sonya; his grandchildren, Lauren Ward and husband Ben; and Garrett Akeroyd; two great grandchildren, Blake and Heath Ward, all of New Braunfels; his sister Cerice Spivey and husband Steve of Blanco, Texas; sisters-in-law Pam Nelson of Deer Park, Texas, and Jeanette Nelson of Spring Branch, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Milton Nelson of Deer Park, Texas; and Jerry Nelson of Spring Branch, Texas. Rod was born in Port Arthur, Texas, to Gale and Juanita (Farris) Nelson. The family moved to New Braunfels in the early 1940s, where Rod attended school, was active in FFA raising animals, and became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1961. He attended Colorado State University and North Texas State University, from where he received his degree in Industrial Arts in 1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan, at the First Methodist Church in 1964, and they lived in Denton and Farmers Branch, Texas, where he finished school and got his first job in the pneumatic tube business that took him and his family to Charlotte, NC, for two years. They moved back to Farmers Branch in 1969, and he and a partner started their own company, ComCo Systems, in pneumatic tubes and drive-in banking equipment. In 1979 the Nelson family decided to move back to New Braunfels, and Rod fulfilled his dream of being a home builder. Rod Nelson Homes was created and thrived until the real estate market turned and he had to find other work. He worked in sales for a while with International Paper Co. and then he was hired by Armortex, an international manufacturer of bullet-resistant products, ultimately becoming their sales manager. When he retired from Armortex in October of 2012, Rod and Joan moved to Grifo Alto, Costa Rica to have an adventure. They resided there until their return to New Braunfels to be near their family in 2016. Rod had many talents and interests. He enjoyed baseball, football, golf, tennis, boating, fishing, hunting, cooking, and just hanging out with friends. He was involved in son John's sports, coaching Little League baseball, and helping with the youth soccer club serving as president. Rod was also civic minded, serving a term on the Parks and Recreation Board and active in the Breakfast Lion's Club until work interfered. Rod was artistic and enjoyed designing homes, and taking classes in batik and jewelry making. Reading was a favorite pastime and he loved learning his whole life...making him a wealth of information. Before Google, we just asked Rod, and usually he knew something about the subject. He was very generous with his time, knowledge and skills and was always extending a hand to help people. A celebration of Rod’s life will be held in the chapel at Lux Funeral Home on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hope Hospice.