Gary R. Nielsen

Gary R. Nielsen, 77, of Schertz, Texas passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11, 2024. Gary was born in Racine, Wisconsin on March 5, 1947, to Russell H. Nielsen and Joyce (Bax) Nielsen. Gary had a zest for life, and although faced with many serious health issues, his faith, attitude, and love for his family and friends remained steadfast and positive.

Gary’s father, Russell, was in the U.S. Navy and Army. Before he was killed in action in the Korean War in 1950, the family lived in Columbus, Georgia, Galveston, Texas, and Port Townsend, Washington. After Russ’ death, Gary and his mother returned to Racine. 

During his youth, Gary was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the highest possible rank of “Eagle Scout.” While at Washington Park High School, he excelled at basketball, making the Varsity team both his junior and senior year. He was also nominated “Homecoming King” before he graduated in 1965.

Although he received a prestigious appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, Gary chose to attend Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1969. From there, he moved south to attend the University of Houston. He graduated with a Master of Arts in 1971.

Gary’s passion for history, citizenship education, and social justice led him to a teaching career. Over 42 years, he touched the lives of more than 5700 students at La Marque, Judson, and Antonian high schools. When he was not teaching, he loved spending time with family, golfing, traveling, especially to our national parks, and ancestry research.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of almost 40 years, Phyllis (Phyl) Foxworth Nielsen, his son Dr. Erik Nielsen and his wife, Lauren, as well as his uncle Dr. Gordon Nielsen and his wife, Catherine. He is also survived by his “in-law” siblings who loved him like a true brother: Karen Foxworth, Jackie and Roy Anselmo, Mike and Patsy Foxworth, Sue Rose, and Bill Smith, as well as his many nieces, nephews and Nielsen cousins, who shared a mutual love.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, Russell Nielsen and mother Joyce (Bax) Nielsen, grandparents George and Juliet (Hansen) Nielsen and Lambert and Lona (Herried) Bax, as well as several Nielsen aunts and uncles.

Gary’s farewell visitation will be November 3, 2024 at Schertz Funeral Home from 4:00-8:00 pm with a Rosary to begin at 6:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Schertz on November 4, 2024 at 11:30 am. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Antonio.

The family would like to thank the many friends for the countless prayers offered for Gary over the years, all the doctors who, through the grace of God, cared for him, especially Dr. Nathan Hales and Dr. Navneet Mittal, as well as Fr. Octavio Muguerza for his spiritual direction and immense support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s memory to the Church of the Good Shepherd Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 929, Schertz, TX 78154 or to the National Parks Conservation Association: https://www.npca.org/give/memorial-tribute-giving