Wayne & Gwendolyn Kaye Nelson

Wayne "Yogi" Bryan Nelson, age 84, and Gwendolyn Kaye Nelson, age 82, died on Sunday, February 16, 2025 of natural causes two days after celebrating their 65th Valentine's Day together. Wayne passed away 4 hours after Kaye. The two left this life as they had lived it, together. Wayne was born April 11, 1940 in Shreveport, LA to Harry and Ola Nelson. Wayne excelled in many sports in his youth and after graduating from C.E. Byrd in 1959 he went on to run track at Northwestern State University. Gwendolyn Kaye Myers was born October 31, 1942 to Kenneth and Dorothy Myers in Texarkana, Texas. Kaye had just graduated from Bossier High in 1960 and was planning to start Northwestern in the fall, when the two were introduced to each other on a blind date. They spent the summer of 1960 falling deeply in love with one another and were married later that same year.

Wayne was a proud firefighter who served as Captain of the Shreveport Fire Department until he retired in 1984. After many years as a homemaker and stay at home mother, Kaye dedicated herself to a career as a travel agent giving her freedom to express her passion for adventure and the ability to travel the world. They loved to ski in Colorado, camp in Arkansas, but Wayne's favorite place to be by far was fishing on Caddo lake. He won many fishing tournaments and titles. Kaye, a sportsman in her own right, won many national archery competitions alongside her husband. Wayne and Kaye lived a long, full life and they will be greatly missed by the loved ones they leave behind.

Together they are survived by their eldest son, Richard Nelson; daughter in law, Rebecca Nelson; grandchildren, Tara Nelson, Ashley Guidroz, Matthew Guidroz, Kayleigh Stewart Enger, Eric Enger, Dannielle Hill, Kevin Hill, Kristie Leroux, Michael Leroux; great grandchildren, Jack Burks IV; Scarlett Guidroz, Emery Guidroz, Amelia Guidroz, Elise Stewart, Alice Stewart, Kymberlie Fitze, Jillian Zibell, Katherine Leroux, Hannah Leroux; aunt, Jean Contreras; sister, Anita House; brother, Kenneth Myers, Jr.; nieces, Debra Cory, Brenda Pelt, Sherry Taylor, Rebecca House, Leslie Bryant; nephew, Christopher Myers as well as many other dear cousins, family and friends.

Wayne and Kaye were preceded in death by their parents, Harry and Ola Nelson, Dorothy and Kenneth Myers; son, John Nelson; friend akin to a son, Clay Jenkinson; nephew, Joshua Myers; and many beloved friends and pets.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 28th at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Montclair Park Assisted Living and the many doctors, nurses and caregivers that provided comfort and care to our loved ones.