Clifford C. Nelson II

1929 - 2021

(News story) Clifford C. Nelson II, who began his career in a business office and then educated Rogers High School students in business methods and practice for more than 25 years, died Feb. 14 in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township. He was 91.

His health declined in recent weeks, his daughter, Jamie Laurie, said.

Mr. Nelson of Monclova Township retired in the early 1990s. For several years beforehand, he worked in programs championed by the Toledo Federation of Teachers and adopted by the Toledo Public Schools in contract bargaining with the union.

He took part in the intern review program, to guide novice teachers, said Francine Lawrence, former TFT president, who called him a "distinguished teacher leader." He also helped veteran teachers with performance problems, and he observed other veteran teachers in a program to highlight and recognize classroom competency.

"He was someone who was proud of his involvement with Toledo Public Schools and had very high standards as a business teacher. He provided leadership within his department as chairman," Mrs. Lawrence said.

Rogers was built by the Adams Township school system, but became part of the Toledo district when the township was absorbed into the city. Mr. Nelson became a member of the Toledo Education Association, which then represented teachers in collective bargaining with the school district, and eventually was elected president.

Teachers later voted for TFT representation, and Mr. Nelson in time joined - and became good friends with Dal Lawrence, TFT's longtime president, who'd led the representation effort.

"He was a friend who would stand by one through thick and thin," said Mrs. Lawrence, who succeeded Mr. Lawrence, her husband, as president. He died in 2019.

"Cliff had a very definite personality and views. Politically we had differences and discussed those," Mrs. Lawrence said. "But it never interfered with the friendship and loyalty to each other."

Mr. Nelson also took part in districtwide business textbook and curriculum committees.

The courses he taught ranged from bookkeeping to telephone etiquette in a business setting.

His aim was "developing students, helping them along with their career path," his daughter said.

"He was disciplined," she said. "You could tell he enjoyed his work, and they enjoyed learning from him.

"He enjoyed the people he worked with," she said. "His long lasting friendships have been with people who were educators."

He was born Dec. 11, 1929, to Velma and Clifford Nelson and grew up on Lebanon Street in East Toledo. He was a graduate of Waite High School. He received a bachelor of business administration degree from Bowling Green State University.

He was a stateside veteran of the Army, serving as a sergeant and personnel management specialist in the Signal Corps. He became personnel manager of the Waterville Research Center of the Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Fibers Co. - which later became a Johns Manville facility. There he became a friend to Dominick Labino, the director of research and development and, later, a leading force in the nascent studio art glass movement.

Mr. Nelson chose another career path, away from the never-ending paperwork and round-the-clock demands of the personnel office. He received a master of education degree from the University of Toledo and became a teacher, as his wife was.

He was a member of Rubicon Lodge, F&AM, and the Grand Lodge of Ohio, American Legion Post 384, and the Bowling Green Elks Lodge.

He and the former Betty Ferris married Dec. 29, 1951. She died May 7, 2017.

Surviving are his daughter, Jamie Laurie; son, Clifford C. Nelson III, and brother, M. Dale Nelson.

Services will be private, because of the coronavirus pandemic. Arrangements are by Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, Maumee.

The family suggests tributes to Maumee United Methodist Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com.