Gary Eley Nelson, a 35-year resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico and formerly of Shelbyville, passed away at home on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at the age of 77.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. MDT Saturday, August 20, at French-Wyoming Funeral Home in Albuquerque. Interment will be at Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville at a later date.
Gary grew up in Middle Tennessee, where his youth was filled with scouting, boating on Center Hill Lake, playing in the marching band, and reading mystery novels. He earned a business degree from Tennessee Tech University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Gary owned several businesses over the years and figured he had sold almost everything under the sun. His true passion, though, was real estate; he delighted in helping people find their dream homes in the city he loved and knew like the back of his hand. Always energetic, optimistic, and on the go, Gary never met a stranger. He took the time to encourage and help everyone he came across, and a complaint or negative word rarely passed his lips.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus, and Frances (Eley) Nelson, of Shelbyville.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen (Spruill) Nelson; children Kevin and Terri; son-in-law John; and grandchildren Isabel, Madeline, and Gary, all of Albuquerque; as well as his brother Rufus Nelson, Jr., of Murfreesboro, TN.
The family wishes to thank “Dr. Jill” and all the home health aides who helped care for Gary these last years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org/ or the Michael J. Fox Foundation www.michaeljfox.org/. Please visit our online guestbook for Gary at www.FrenchFunerals.com.
