Andrew Nelson

Andrew Johnson Nelson went to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ on August 1, 2013 while at Amistad Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Uvalde, Texas. He was a faithful husband, a dedicated father, and a treasured friend. He knew no stranger if you did not know him, he was assured that you would as he grinned from ear to ear and said, I am so glad you got to see me As one person recently said about Andrew, He was really a character For the last 2 years, he resided at Amistad Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Uvalde, Texas. He was happy at Amistad as he was seen wearing a western straw hat and singing as he was wheeled down the hallway. Several people commented about Andrews singing one employee stated, It just made my day to hear him sing.
Andrew was born in Gatesville, Texas in 1917. His fathers occupation was a Baptist preacher and rancher. In 1933, the family moved to Uvalde County on a ranch near Reagan Wells. Travel in those days was challenging so he lived with his uncle Charles and aunt Ida Acree in Uvalde where he graduated from high school in 1936. While in high school Andrew was part of a group called The String Band he played guitar which he learned by ear. The band included 6 to 10 players with various stringed instruments including banjos, fiddles, guitars, ukuleles, and a drum. A high school teacher arranged places for the group to play at no charge such as Garner State Park, Leakey, Sabinal, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from high school, Andrew attended Louisiana State University from 1940 1942 while living with his uncle Judge Jess and Aunt Ida Johnson. He did not complete his engineering degree as he joined the Army Air Corps in preparation for World War II. Andrew served his country as a fighter pilot instructor and he was in charge of fleet maintenance in Massachusetts and Tacoma, Washington. He specialized in the B24 aircraft and was a captain at the end of the war. After the war he continued in the Air Force Flight Reserves until he held the rank of major.
While in Houston at Elligton Air Base, he met and married the love of his life Margie Lou. While the couple was in Tacoma, Washington during his service to his country, their only child was born, Bonnie Nelson Koster.
After the war, Andrew brought his family to Texas where he was employed by Goodyear Tire Company in San Antonio. He soon asked for a transfer to Corpus Christi as he loved to fish and wanted to be near the waters. He was manager at Goodyear Tire in Corpus Christi until the store closed. Then he worked as an auto parts salesman for Delco Reinna Auto Supply and then Collins Auto Supply until his retirement in 1987. This sales position required that he travel some distance but he always made certain no matter what, he was home with his family each evening.
Andrew was known as Handy Andy and he could fix just about anything. He was frequently found in his shopgarage. He was free to share his mechanical gift as many came for his assistance. For example he worked with one neighborhood boy from a broken home and he became his friend as he worked with him in his garage.
In 1994, Andrew and his wife relocated in Uvalde County as they remodeled the home he lived in as a young boy outside of Reagan Wells. They resided at the place near Reagan Wells until he went to Amistad Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in 2011. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margie Lou Nelson, father, William Jackson Nelson, mother, Grace Caroline Nelson, and brothers, William Jackson Nelson and Clarence Richard Nelson of Uvalde County.
The service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2013 at the Reagan Wells Baptist Church off of Farm Road 1051 where his father was a preacher and his mother led the singing. Pallbearers will be Will Dexter Nelson, Andrew Jobee Nelson, Phillip Crow, Dick Peterson, Julian Garza, and Sam Garza. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Miller and Gary Curry. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Reagan Wells Baptist Church or the charity of ones choice.

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