John was born in Thief River Falls, MN to Arthur Forrest Nelson and Joyce Naomi (Peterson) Nelson. He was the youngest of six, with siblings Linda, Debbie, Sue, Pam, and Arthur Nelson II. John graduated from Cloquet High School in Cloquet, MN in 1983.
In 1989 John traveled with his restaurant manager and family to Oakdale, CA to take over management at The Golden Corral. He later managed Escalon Steak and Eggs, was at AAA transmission for many years. Over the last ten years, he has been an irreplaceable employee at Fast Eddie’s Water Trucks. He excelled in every aspect of his job and worked every day of his life for his family.
In 1991 he met Joy Gladys and they were instant soulmates, he adored her. Nearly thirty years and six children later, they were just as much in love.
He is survived by six children; Melissa (Daniel), of Modesto; Amy, of Modesto; Kayla (Dmitri), of Pasadena; Hanna (Jesus), of Indiana; Stanley of Oakdale; and Megan Nichole of Oakdale; four grandchildren, Xander of Riverbank, and Kayden, Isabella, and Layla, of Indiana; sister-in-law Kathleen Ling, of Sacramento; and brother-in-law, Michael Gladys of Copperopolis. Every child in this world loved John, as did the elderly folks he came across.
He was a genuine, glowing soul. His giving and accepting nature made him a stranger to none. His best bud was his German Shepherd, Cooper. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, camping, playing horseshoes, dancing, and loved his music. He was a music trivia buff.
He never looked down on anyone in life. Joy and his six children adored him; he was the hug they needed, the talk they wanted, the silence they required. Any problems or sadness seemed to go away when John entered the room. He was truly a bright light in the darkness of this world.
His favorite saying he often quoted was, “If everybody covered everybody, everybody would be covered.”
Services will be held July 8, at 1 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery, 421 N. Sierra Ave., Oakdale, CA. A reception will follow at Oak Valley Church, 175 S. Bryan Ave., Oakdale.
Donations may be made to cover funeral expenses by visiting www.gofundme.com/3ykzn0w
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
June 28, 2017