Lewis Quinton Nelson, 83, Denison, TX, passed away unexpectedly December 7th, 2022. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and faithful servant of the Lord. Lewis was born November 17, 1939 in Sycamore, Georgiathe youngest of six childrento Walter Chesterfield and Eunie Mauldin Nelson. He grew up working on the family farm, attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Sycamore High School in 1957. After leaving Sycamore, he proudly served in the Navy from 1957 to 1962 but could not wait until his commitment was over to marry the woman who had stolen his heart on a blind date, the love of his life, Vivian Coffey. They married in 1961 and made their home in Atlanta where they welcomed two daughters, Dawn, and Holly. Atlanta is also where he began his career in the can business, a career spanning 40 years, taking the family from Georgia to Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Florida; and Lewis to Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and other locations for consulting. He was a well-respected manager because of his ability to step in and run any piece of equipment if needed, his desire to improve processes which earned him two US patents, but mostly for his fairness to all employees.
Lewis ended his career in Denison as the plant manager for Sonoco Products in 2002, giving him and Vivian more time for travel in retirement. Lewis rarely went anywhere without Vivian by his side, traveling over the years to all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. His favorite vacation was a 2018 trip to Ireland with Vivian and his daughter, Holly where they made priceless memories. Lewis’ favorite pastime was woodworking. He took his joy of building things and used it with the Parkside Men’s Ministry, crafting thousands of small wooden crosses to share with others across the country and around the world. Whether you crossed his path in the grocery store, at a gas station, a family reunion or the Texas State Fair, his simple gesture of quietly sharing a handmade cross was his way of spreading the Lord’s love. Nothing was more important to Lewis than family. He loved and supported Vivian and his daughters, and being a grandpa was a constant highlight of life in his later years. He watched Ian, Allen, and Hannah grow from cute babies, to active teens, and mature into successful adults. He could not have been prouder of their accomplishments, smiled more when he saw them, or loved them any more than he did.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Eunie Nelson, and his siblings, Grace Morris, Effie Mae Wynn, Stantley Nelson, and Durel Nelson. He will be sorely missed and always remembered by his devoted wife of 61 years, Vivian Coffey Nelson [Denison, TX], daughters Dawn Alsvary [Richardson, TX] and Holly (Duane) Sand [Bismarck, ND]; grandchildren, Ian Alsvary [Dallas, TX], Allen Sand [Norfolk, VA], Hannah Sand [Fort Worth, TX]; and his sister Faye Gilley [Sycamore, GA]. Services will be held Wednesday, December 14th at Parkside Baptist Church, 301 North Lillis Lane, Denison, TX. Visitation will begin at 2pm with the Memorial Service following at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Parkside Men’s Ministry or a charity of your choice. Lewis will be remembered as a man of integrity. He was such a good and decent man. Psalm 23 Psalm of the Divine Shepard
