He is survived by his wife, Judy (Sweitzer) (Hardesty) Nelson; stepson, Joseph Hardesty and wife Julie; step grandson, J.D. Hardesty; one sister, Luvona Wilt; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, of 57 years, Zelma (Stewart) Nelson; two brothers, James Nelson and Leroy “Dubbs” Nelson; and five sisters, Daisy Shaffer, Helen Sweitzer, Loretta Stark, Carldine Kalar and Colleen Stewart.