Thomas Lane Nelson

LT Tom "Nasty" Nelson VA-97 Safety Officer inside the intake of an A-7A in the Tonkin Golf 1969-1970 cruise USS Constellation CVA-64. LTJG Dick Couch giving the "start engine" signal - obviously in humor.

Tom Nelson loved to serve his nation, community, church, friends, and others. He could always be counted on to be there whenever anyone asked for his council, assistance, or time. I worked with him on many occasions. This is my favorite.
I was in the bishopric in the Duncanville ward and I was conducting the fast and testimony Sacrament meeting on Sunday, February 3, 1991. I was the only member the
bishopric there that day so I was on the stand by myself. Our high councilman was in the congregation and he came up to sit next to me because he said I looked lonely. At one point in
the service I asked him if the stake policy of no ward no stake activities on the first Saturday of the month included baptisms. Why did I ask? My son Kingston´s eighth birthday is on the first Saturday in March, Saturday March 2, and I want to baptize him on his birthday in the building baptismal font. I had baptized all my children on their eighth birthday so they would always remember the date. He said he thought it did, however he would check with the stake president. After checking with the stake president I was told I could not use the building font. No ward no stake activities definitely applied. I then asked the high councilman if he would ask the stake president if he could recommend any other churches with a baptismal font that I could use to baptize Kingston. He did not ask. I wondered where to do the baptism. Then I was told I could not baptize Kingston because it would be a ward activity. My way around that was to not invite or involve any other members from the ward. It would be a family event. The big question was where to do the baptism.
I knew Tom Nelson had a swimming pool, so right after the Sacrament service was through I walked directly up to Tom and asked him if I could use his pool on Saturday, March 2
to baptize Kingston. His first comment was the pool would not be heated and the water would be very cold. I said that was okay. He looked at me with a friendly grin on his face and said, " Brother White, I know you are crazy. If you really want to baptize Kingston on that date in my pool, go ahead. You have my permission." I said thank you and added, "Only my family will be attending the baptism. I am sorry, but you and your family are not invited because of the no ward no stake activities on the first Saturday of the month." Tom´s response, " Yes, you are crazy."
During the next two weeks Tom took the temperature of the water in the pool and let me know each Sunday how very cold it was. Then a wonderful thing happened. The pool water
started warming up on its own. Tom opened his house to me and my family on Saturday, March 2 so we could hold the baptismal service. Philip arrived from an out of town basketball game just before the baptismal service started, so he could do his part in the service. I remember walking out into the pool and thinking I am so glad I am doing the baptism because I will only be wet maybe up to my waste. Kingston will be completely submerged. He did tell me afterwards the water was not so bad. It was walking back to the house wrapped in a towel that was so cold.
Tom told me about a month later that the water temperature in his pool had dropped considerably after the baptism and was the highest on March 2 than any date for at least a month before or after.

Philip White

As the Air Wing 14 attack Flight Surgeon during the `69-70 and `71-72 West Pac cruises, I ha d the opportunity to get to know and admire Nasty. I never flew with him (no second seat in the A-7), but I learned enough in the ready room to know how much he meant to his fellow pilots. In the air over Viet Nam, his call sign most likely fit, and yet in all other aspects of his life he was the opposite: He lived his faith every day in an environment where it was not always easy to do. From all I remember of Nasty as well as all I have read, he lived an exemplary life as a pilot, squadron mate, family man, officer, and a true gentleman. My condolences to his family and all who loved him.
Dr. Jim Syverud

I posted a note about Nasty's passing to former Warhawks. Here's some responses:
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Nasty was a special man. I flew many times with him. He had me over for dinner many times to eat with his family. He really put his family first. We landed in section at Whidbey Island. First time I ever did that. He also took my duty in Rio because I kept getting duties as the junior officer. Great sense of humor, also. I often wondered how he was doing. Thanks for the update. Dick Couch
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Nasty and I were roomates onthe '69 cruise. I am on vacation and just checked my email to discover that Tom (NSty) had pasted away. I agree with all of the characterizations of Nasty from all of you I've seen so far.

I would add to those accolades that he and I were roommates on the '69 cruise. The thing that made our pairing interesting was that Nasty was a Morman Bishop and I am a Southern Baptist! Some would probably say that it was certainly not a match made in heaven but I would disagree. I could not have found a better friend and squadron mate. I know he was praying for me when I was shot down in Laos and that was definitely helpful in my rescue.
I'm praying for his wife and family now. Pete Mullowney
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Thanks for the notification, Mic. Nasty was "Top Notch". Paul "Otter" Otto
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Nasty was a true gentleman. An inspiration and wonderful family man. Sounds like he led a long, loving, and productive life . Tom "Suds" Sudberry
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Nasty was the nicest man I have ever known. He really looked out for us JO´s. I think he saved my career, he certainly taught me how to treat others. Rest in peace Nasty, you are missed. Ed Tetrick
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Nasty was two rooms down from me and I remember that being the senior Morman on the ship, he spent a lot of his off time counseling the ships other, younger Morgan´s. A great squadron mate and Naval Officer. Ken Crowder

Tom "Nasty" Nelson was one of my heroes. We flew together on my 1st combat cruise Gulf of Tonkin 1969-1970 in USS Constellation CV-64. He was the safety officer during our work-ups getting ready to deploy in VA-97 flying A-7As. He and the Airwing LSO Ken Crowder helped me figure out what was causing my problems during night carrier landings. His smart and caring attitude kept me in the Squadron and eventually through 22 years of flying in the Navy. For his family. I have more to share if they are interested. Bill Thomas A-7 Corsair II Association

I was in VA-97 Warhawks in 1969-70 aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64) with Nasty; I flew several combat sorties as his wingman. Nasty was a great officer, a great pilot, a great leader, and a great friend and inspiration. While I interacted with him numerous times at the squadron ready room at NAS Lemoore, CA and the ship, my favorite recollection was at the various O'Clubs and social events...all of us with our 'adult' beverages and Nasty with his club soda with a cherry.

I served with Nasty on the VA-97 Warhawk 69'-70.' I flew several combat flights as his wingman during that timeframe. Great pilot, great officer, great leader, great guy. When we went to the O'Club for 'beverages Nasty would always joins, sipping on his soda water with a slice of lime and a maraschino cherry .