Gary Allen Nelson passed away Saturday February 1, 2014 at his home. Visitation is 5pm-8pm Thursday February 7, 2014 at Lakewood Funeral Home and again 10am Friday at First United Methodist Church in Clinton. Funeral services are 11am Friday, February 8, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church with a private family graveside to follow in Lakewood Memorial Park.

He is survived by his children, Christopher Nelson of Clinton, Angela Ogle (Richard) of Clarksville, TN, Kevin Nelson (Jennifer) of Madison, Miranda Smith (Kirk) of Brookhaven, and Paige Goolsby (John) of Clinton. In addition, his 11 beautiful grandchildren that he adored: Cody Cefalu, Cole Ogle, Cade Ogle, Canon Ogle, Brayden Nelson, Reid Nelson, Saylor Smith, Haddon Smith, Grace Goolsby, Ella Goolsby, and Maggie Goolsby. He is also survived by his mother, Elizabeth Nelson; father Frank Sutton and 2 brothers Jim and Bob Nelson. He was preceded in death by his true love of 47 years, Becky Nelson and his step-father Col. O.C. Nelson.

Gary was born in Miami, FL on April 4, 1945. Spending his senior year in high school in Gettysburg, PA gave him a strong appreciation for the Civil War and as a result, he read every Civil War book he could get his hands on. A baseball scholarship to Mississippi State University brought Daddy to Mississippi and after 3 years, he was accepted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center and in 1966, he met and married his soul mate, Rebecca "Becky" Jordan. After graduating in 1970, he completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of South Alabama. Gary began is medical practice in Clinton, MS on Halloween 1974 to care for his beloved community. This obituary could go on about how patients would flock to his doors not just for his excellent diagnostic skills but for his witty bed-side manner. Generations of family members would pass through the threshold of his office to be treated by the kind and loving Dr. Nelson.

We, as his children and grandchildren want people to know him as we do, as Daddy or Doc, the Diet Coke loving, Little Debbie Snack Cake hiding, John Denver listening, Bill O'Reilly watching, firework fanatic, never let you hit bottom shoulder to cry on. Our greatest role model and gentleman will be missed for the rest of our lives. Our mama and daddy inspired us with their love and their love of travel and adventure. They played tennis, snow skied, scuba dived and kicked up the sand on numerous beaches most of the time with us in tow and their God-given family, Buddy and Brenda Spencer. Daddy was loving, encouraging, supportive, and oh so proud of his children and grandchildren. After the death of our mama in August, he found it increasingly difficult to overcome grief, but found comfort in the success of what he called "their" greatest achievement: his children and grandchildren. Our daddy had "a heart of gold," and his greatest joy in life was seeing his family happy. He was an avid reader; we never saw him without a book, which gave us such an appreciation for education and history. His only goal in life was to bring a smile to our faces. Though a quiet and reserved man, his smile, love, and laughter could fill up the room with sunshine everywhere he went. All we can say is Gary Nelson was a beautiful man in every sense of the word: he lived a life to be proud of and we, as his children were so proud to call him our daddy. His hugs were huge and enveloping and he always knew the answer to our problems; we'll miss those healing hands.

We find peace in knowing our parents are walking hand in hand towards their majestic sunrise peaking up over their beloved Rocky Mountains. We love and miss you terribly daddy; you were the best kind of soul, but yours and mama's blood runs through our veins and the legacy you two created will continue. We cannot wait to see you again, but until then, we'll be here carrying on and talking to you through our prayer.

Published by Clarion Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi on February 5, 2014