Jon Lorraine Nelson, 78, died on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, due to complications of chronic illness.
Memorial graveside service with military rites will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Ridge Park Cemetery, with Rev. David R. Van Horn officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Saline Animal League in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born on February 5, 1946, Jon grew up in a military family. His schooling took place in a variety of settings, beginning with a one room schoolhouse on Freeburg Road in Belleville, IL, and including time in Madrid, Spain, Savannah, GA, and Marshall High School where he graduated in 1964. He discovered a love for music early in his life, playing a variety of instruments in his high school marching band and in an extracurricular rock band known as “The Tensions” in Marshall.
Jon continued the family tradition of military service. He secured an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1969, where he was locally famous as the keyboard player and guitarist for his band, “The 31st Street Exit”. Jon was selected for pilot training and traveled the world in the C-141 Starlifter, ultimately rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel while flying C-9As in the 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing at Scott AFB, IL. He embraced opportunities to fly to the world’s most adventurous locations and often recounted missions in Turkey, Egypt, and even Antarctica.
After completing his military career of 20 years, Jon spent many years putting his exceptional teaching skills to work as a pilot simulator instructor for Delta Global Services, training pilots for Delta Air Lines and many other airlines from all over the world. A gifted linguist, he taught as much as possible in the language native to his students, particularly Spanish and Chinese.
Jon pursued his lifelong passion for music throughout his years, playing classical piano and electric guitar. He was a talented artist and an imaginative cook, with rack of lamb at the top of his specialties. Mechanically inclined as well, he had an uncanny ability to fix anything that was broken even after professionals had given up. Jon had a thirst for learning and approached his many talents and endeavors with a combination of dogged precision, insatiable curiosity and humorous delight.
By far his greatest joys in life were his two children, Grace and Davis, to whom he passed along his love for art, music and humor. Together with his children and his former wife of 31 years, Ann, Jon continued to travel the world. He relished exploring the historical significance of their many destinations and sharing this knowledge with his family.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Richard E. and Corrine Staub Nelson, and his brother Richard A. Nelson. He leaves behind his children Grace Nelson (Danilo Lobo) and Davis Nelson, both of Atlanta, GA, his former wife Ann Nelson of Atlanta, and his brother, David Nelson (Joyce) of Marshall, MO, plus many other friends and extended family. He gifted the world an inimitable wit which produced many “Dad-isms”, newly invented words, family jokes, life philosophies, and fond memories.