Gary Wendell Nelson

Gary Wendell Nelson, 84, passed away tragically on June 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Born August 13, 1940, in the quiet farm town of Summerfield, Kansas, Gary was the beloved son of Louise M. Nelson (née Ringen) and William Waldo Nelson. From his earliest days in the Kansas heartland, Gary developed a deep reverence for the natural world-an enduring love for "Nature's Way" and all of "God's Creatures" that stayed with him throughout his life.

A proud graduate of Summerfield High School, Gary held onto many childhood friendships for decades, keeping in touch through regular emails and attending reunions well into the 2000s. After high school, he earned a scholarship to Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. At K-State, he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, forming lifelong bonds with a group of men with whom he shared adventures and laughter well into their golden years.

Upon graduating, Gary moved west to Southern California to join the aerospace industry. Though a childhood hearing loss kept him from becoming an astronaut, he found fulfillment contributing as an engineer to the space programs of the day. But it wasn't just work that drew Gary west-it was also the spirit of the place. During his bachelor years in Manhattan Beach, he found a vibrant circle of friends and lived the kind of joyful, fun-filled days that seemed lifted from a movie.

In the late 1960s, a career opportunity took him to San Francisco, where, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Connie L. Montella. They married in 1971 and soon settled in Southern California, where they built a life centered on shared values, creativity, and deep mutual respect.

Gary shifted gears professionally in the 1970s, taking business management courses and moving into commercial real estate ultimately co-founding Churchill Mortgage Corporation, and growing it into one of Southern California's leading mortgage banking firms with his longtime business partner. Known for his integrity and professionalism, Gary earned wide respect across the industry and chose to retire just over a decade ago.

Active in every community he joined, Gary gave generously of his time and talents. He served as a dedicated member of the Hancock Park Homeowners Association, where he took pride in beautifying his neighborhood. At the Wilshire Country Club, he pursued golf with limited enthusiasm, thanks, in part, to a lingering shoulder injury. While he never quite mastered the game, he cherished the time he spent at the club with his family, friends, fellow club members and staff. He was a joyful presence at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, where he most recently served as a deacon and found great purpose as a greeter, welcoming congregants with his signature smile and warm words. Gary was also a past president of the Los Angeles chapter of Lambda Alpha International, an honorary society for land economics. And until earlier this year, he served as Chairman of the Board for Franklin Wireless, a publicly traded company.

Still, Gary's proudest role by far was that of husband and father. He and Connie shared nearly 37 years of marriage until her passing in 2008. Together, they were a dynamic team bringing to life many home restoration projects with creativity and care. In 1974, they welcomed their daughter Jennifer, Gary's greatest joy and lifelong pride. He supported her wholeheartedly in every stage of life, always putting her interests first. Gary gave Jennifer many gifts, but none greater than his unwavering love, steady encouragement, and belief that life was full of wonder and possibility.

Gary was pre-deceased by his parents Waldo and Louise, his sister Joyce Whitmore, and his beloved wife Connie. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Nelson and her partner Immanuel Utomo; his nephew Kenneth Thomas; his niece Beverly Thomas; and relatives of his late wife, including Christopher Montella and Millie Abbott.

To those who knew him, Gary was the kind of man who believed in doing the right thing-even when it wasn't easy. He listened more than he spoke, knew when to offer encouragement, and lived with a generous heart. He believed in hard work, in supporting those who sacrificed for others, and in the idea that a little fun never hurt anyone.

Gary Nelson will be remembered not just for his accomplishments, but for his faith, his warmth, his kindness, and the quiet strength he brought to every room. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched-and he will be deeply missed.

A service to celebrate Gary's life will be held on Saturday, August 16, at 11:30 am at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, 1760 N. Gower Street, Los Angeles, CA with a gathering after.

Donations in his honor can be made to Hollywood Presbyterian Church (online here: https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/fpch

Fund: "Designated Donation"; Fund memo: "Gary Nelson" or via check sent to above address)