Nelson, Charles Frank "Chuck" passed away peacefully in his home on March 12, 2022. He was born March 9, 1924, in Muskegon, Michigan, the second son of Enar Arvid Nelson and Louise (Sellgren) Nelson. Predeceased in 1927 by his father, in 1990 by his mother, in 1982 by loving daughter Lee Nelson, in January 2000 by beloved wife of 54 years, Barbara Winters Nelson, in 2011 by brother Ralph Nelson, and in 2019 by dear companion Corrie Seyferth. Left behind to celebrate a long life blessed with good health and happy family are son, Charles F. Nelson, Jr. and wife Anne of Springfield, MO, son George Winters Nelson and wife Diane of Nokomis, FL, and grandsons Robert Nelson, Springfield, MO, and Zachary Nelson, Columbia, MO, three great granddaughters and four great grandsons and also, a multitude of great running buddies from years of running in Memorial Park as well as leaving behind a host of business friends at Fisk MEl Inspection (QAE) and Spectra Energy. Chuck graduated from high school in Muskegon, Michigan in June 1942 and immediately joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. Graduating from Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, he received his commission and wings at age 19, and served two tours in the Pacific during WW2 as a pilot in PB2Y Squadron VPB13. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 stars, Commendation Ribbon and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon. Upon returning from the Pacific, Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Winters, on October 20, 1945, and then graduated from Purdue University in the first class of WW2 veterans in 1950. His career was interesting, varied, and challenging. Starting as an Ag teacher and 4-H leader at Monitor High School, he then joined Olin Chemical as a marketing manager in Indiana. In 1964 he and his family moved overseas, spending 3years in Venezuela as manager of experimental farm for International Milling Co, then 4 years in Barbados and 1 year in Puerto Rico as marketing manager for Esso Chemicals. He then went back to Barbados for 7 years as Director of an electronics assembly plant. He then returned to reality when his first grandson was born in Houston in 1977. Chuck retired in 2017 after 40 years in gas and oil project management so he could "start writing his memoirs, and live with an attitude of gratitude for the multitude of great blessings that made a good, happy, healthy life". He started running before it was fashionable and logged over 30,000 miles, most of it in Memorial Park, where he never ran without wearing a Purdue shirt. He started running marathons at age 69! CHUCK RAN AND FINISHED THE RACE THAT THE GOOD LORD GAVE HIM TO RUN. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. Please check Woodlawn's website periodically for an update on service date and time. www.woodlawnfh.com