Obituary Detail
July 30, 2022
Joe Melvin Nelson, Age:72
Joe Melvin Nelson died peacefully on July 30, 2022 at the age of 84. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Hersel Thomas Nelson and Thelma Tage Nelson and brothers Kenneth, Bob, Jack, and Tom Nelson. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Maxine Conerly Nelson and sons Jay Conerly Nelson (wife Chrissy) and his daughters, Harper and Abigail, Thomas Edward Nelson (fiancée Maiko Salvador) and his daughters, Anna Grace and Emilee, and his only sister, Karen Peters. Joe was born on June 6, 1938 in Bowie, Texas. He lived in Nocona, Texas until the age of 8 and then moved to Denver City, Texas where he graduated from Denver City High School in 1957. While in high school Joe was Captain of his football team and was named All South Plains Running Back and Honorable Mention All State. He served as Vice-President of his Senior Class and was named Class Favorite. Joe graduated with a Business Management degree from Texas Tech University in 1962 and was an active member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity throughout his college career. Following graduation Joe went to work for Texas Power and Light Co. in Dallas, Texas. After a short training period he was sent to Paris, Texas where he was District Sales Manager. While living in Paris, Joe met and married Maxine Conerly in November 1964. Joe was then transferred to Mesquite, Texas where he served as Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the local American Cancer Society, and Secretary of the Mesquite Rotary Club. After two years in Mesquite, Joe was transferred to Terrell, Texas. At the time he was the youngest District Manager for Texas Power and Light. While in Terrell Joe served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of United Way, Co-Chairman of the Terrell Centennial Celebration, Chairman of the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, President of the Saint John Catholic Church Parish Council, Chairman of the Kaufman County Agricultural Committee, and Chairman of the Terrell Industrial Foundation. One of the achievements of which Joe was most proud was being Chairman of the Church Council in Terrell and helping raise funds to build a new Catholic church there. Joe and Maxine's two sons were born while they were living in Terrell. Following seven years in Terrell, the family moved to Waco, Texas where Joe was named Southern Division Manager. It was in Waco that Joe helped build the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity chapter at Baylor University. Waco will always be special to both Joe and Maxine thanks to the lifelong friends made there. Joe and his family moved to Dallas after being promoted to Vice-President at Texas Power. As Vice-President Joe was given the responsibility for Public Affairs and Marketing. He also served as the company's presence in Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas. He was a member of the Edison Institute Communications Committee, the Committee for Energy Independence, and the Capitol Hill Club. Joe retired from Texas Power and Light in 1992 after 30 years with the company. Joe was a kind and gentle man who cared for others and cherished his family and friends. Joe was known as "Papa" by his beloved granddaughters. They were his pride and joy, and he loved attending the many events in which they participated. He also loved showing their pictures to anyone who would take the time to look. He loved spending time with friends, often enjoying summers on the lake. Within his Dallas neighborhood University Park, Joe was active in youth sports as a football, baseball, and basketball coach for the Park Cities YMCA. The Catholic Church was also a vital part of Joe's life. For over 50 years he served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Usher in several Catholic churches, the last one being Christ the King in Dallas. Joe also taught an Adult Bible Study in many of his church homes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, August 13 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75225 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to UT Southwestern for cancer research, P.O. Box 910888 Dallas, TX 75391-0888 or online at engage.utsouthwestern.edu. Contributions may also be made to St. Vincent de Paul
Condolences
Michael & Jean Wylie August 11, 2022
Neighbor Dallas , Texas
Deacon Tim Muldoon August 11, 2022
CTK friend Dallas , Texas
Michael D Spence August 11, 2022
Friend and business colleague Richardson , Texas
Hilda Conerly August 13, 2022
Brother in-law Houston , Texas
Hilda Conerly August 13, 2022
Brother in-law Houston , Texas
Nancy Fitzhugh August 13, 2022
cousin of Maxine Fort Worth , Texas
Deryl Brown August 18, 2022
co-worker and long-time friend Southlake , Texas
Bill Motley August 19, 2022
Spring , Texas
