Gordon Nelson

A Celebration of Life service for Dr. John "Gordon" Nelson, 82 of Jacksonville, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at K.L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jacksonville. His son-in-law, Pastor Chris Williams, will officiate. The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 24, 2023 one hour prior to the service.
Gordon passed away Friday at his home surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Gordon A. and Helen M. Nelson; brother, James Nelson; and son, Erik Gordon Nelson.
Gordon was born June 3, 1940 in Jamestown, NY. He attended high school in Central and Southern CA. After attending North Park College and graduating from LA State University with a teaching degree, he taught elementary and 7th and 8th grades.
Military service included a tour of duty as a Chaplain's Assistant in Vietnam from 1963-1965. Gordon earned his Master's degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University, and a doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He achieved tenure at the University of British Columbia where he taught for ten years. He also taught at the University of WI-Oshkosh for seven years, and one year at North Park University in Chicago, IL, during which time he was awarded a Fulbright Senior Research Scholarship to the University of Gothenburg, Sweden in 1994.
Finally, Dr. Nelson was a professor at Jacksonville State University for seventeen years. An active contributor to research in his field of study, he authored numerous scholarly articles. Gordon is remembered for his pioneering work in the developing field of online instruction. He was a member of various learned societies and provided active support to the University's accreditation process. Above all, he was loved by his students and peers for his humor and friendliness while providing excellent instruction. He took challenging concepts and made them understandable so that all could learn. Professor Nelson was awarded Professor Emeritus status for his outstanding service and scholarship while serving as a faculty member at Jacksonville State University.
Throughout Gordon's life, he had a love of learning and a wide variety of interests. After retirement, he had more time to enjoy reading, cooking and grilling, playing piano, traveling, especially bringing his wife to Sweden and numerous trips to be with his grandsons.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Marsha E. Nelson; daughter, Rachel Williams and her husband Chris; grandchildren, Evan Gordon Williams and Zane Christopher Williams; sister, Arlys Weaver; sister-in-law, Ginger Nelson; and several nieces and nephews.
Gordon was loved by so many, especially by his adoring family. His joyful, fun-loving, kind and generous spirit has been a gift to all. He exemplified the love of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His absence will be felt profoundly.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gordon's honor at mercyships.org or showhope.org
Online condolences may be sent to www.klbrownfuneralhome.com
K.L. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center
322 Nisbet Street NW
Jacksonville, AL 36265
256-435-7042