David Sears Nelson

1923 - 2016

David Sears Nelson was born in Boston, and attended the Lenox School for Boys in Lenox, MA. In 1941 he enlisted in the Navy Air Corps, and was trained as a fighter pilot. He really loved those years of learning to fly from the thrill of flying around the billowing clouds in Texas, to the necessary precision of landing safely on a aircraft carrier. After the Navy, David attended Yale University, and graduated in 1949. He married Barbara Sherlock from Sharon, PA in 1952, after a blind date and a speedy courtship. David and Barbara spent the first 17 years of their marriage in Mount Vernon Country Club, a small community in the foothills west of Denver. They had 5 children, but tragically lost a beautiful 2 year old daughter. David established Nelson-Cato, a company furnishing kitchens, and worked with builders in the developing ski areas. During that time he had a brilliant idea to provide housewares to the resort industry, and he encouraged his wife Barbara to start the company Ski and Sea in 1968. It was the first of it's kind in the world. Other than his family, his passions were dancing with Barbara, tennis, golf, skiing, the Denver Broncos, and traveling. During their 65+ years of marriage, they served on several missions trips in conjunction with their churches and World Vision. David was committed to God and his country. He served as a leader in his church and politics, heading up campaigns, and the Christian Coalition of Colorado. He is survived by his wife Barbara, four children, Jennifer, Lisa, Sherlock, and Barbara, 12 grandchildren, and to date - 15 great grandchildren. They had a great life together with many blessings and are very thankful for the friends and family that made it all possible. David's memorial service and reception was held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, 1:30pm at Holly Creek Retirement Community, 5500 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial, CO. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Operation Blessing, www.ob.org, for The Christian Refugee Project.