John Arthur Nelson

John Arthur Nelson passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025. He was born in Galveston, Texas on October 28, 1944. He graduated from Ball High School in 1963 and Alvin Jr. College in 1965. John later earned a Bachelors in Sociology and a Masters in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore. His father, John William Nelson, was a Galveston Police Officer who also owned Stewart Beach Skating Rink from 1961 through 1964. It was there that he met his wife, Ginger Luciano, and they were wed soon thereafter at Sacred Heart Church on August 29, 1964. They have one son named after his grandfather, who died a few months before his grandson was born.
From 1961 through 1964, John was the night manager at The Jack Tar Coffee Cove. He always talked about all of the midnight specials that were served there every night. In 1966 he worked as the assistant manager at the Hotel Galvez. He joined Ramada Inn after leaving the Hotel Galvez and was the youngest General Manager in the chain's history. In all John managed over ten properties covering Texas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and Mississippi. In 1973, he left Ramada and became the Food and Beverage Director at a Holiday Inn in Baltimore, Maryland. While in Baltimore, he decided to join the police department. John served as a Baltimore City Police Agent for 20 years. Upon retirement from the police department, he and Ginger returned home to Galveston. He never knew how to stay retired. In 1993 John became the first male Victim's Advocate for the Women's Resource and Crisis Center for Galveston County, and in 1995 he started working as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Galveston County. At the same time, he started teaching Sociology as an adjunct at Galveston College and eventually joined the faculty as the Criminal Justice Coordinator and an Instructor in Criminal Justice
John truly enjoyed his years teaching at the college. He always believed that if he could help just one student with their future then he had made a difference. Whenever he would notice a student who was having trouble seeing, he would take it upon himself to make them a vision appointment and see that they got glasses if needed. John retired from Galveston College in 2020, and spent his time with family and friends fishing, traveling, reading, and metal detecting.
John had a big heart and always tried to do whatever he could for people. While on the police department, he would draw on his experience in the hospitality business and cook Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless in Baltimore, and he would spend many a vacation day doing banquets for the Catholic Daughters and Fourth Degree banquets for the Knights of Columbus. John would also do Bull Roasts for the Knights and for the Catholic school that his son attended.
Strong in his beliefs and devoted to his family and friends, John was a man of unquestionable integrity and lived a life shaped by honesty and compassion. He was a kind and caring man who touched the lives of many.
John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ginger, his son John and his daughter-in-law Nhu. He is also survived by his second family close to his heart: Beverle Smart, Sunni Glover, Brynn Glover, Brandon Glover, and his lifetime friend who was like a brother, Nathan Sukiennik.
John's family will receive visitors beginning at 5:00 pm, Friday, January 17, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A rosary will begin at 6:30 pm.
Funeral Mass will be 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 18, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Galveston, with burial following at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.
Pallbearers will be John William Nelson, Nathan Sukiennik, Craig Giusti, Charles Dunbar, Long Tran, and Ty Tran.