Dr. Edward Thomas Nelson was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 29, 1947 to Emma Jane and Carl Stevens Nelson. He was raised in Leavenworth, Kansas and graduated from high school there in 1964. Dr. Nelson earned a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas in 1969 with minors in math, physics, and theology. His graduate studies were completed at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where he was awarded a PhD in microbiology in 1974. While there, he won the University Award for Outstanding Graduate Student and the Philip Newmark Award for Excellence in Biochemical Research for his study of the molecular biology of bacteria and viruses. He continued his research of medical microbiology and infectious disease as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas from 1975 to 1977. Dr. Nelson served his country as a lieutenant colonel (LTC) in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1971 to 2012. While enlisted, LTC Dr. Nelson commanded multiple medical units. When activated for a tour of duty during Operation Desert Storm of the Gulf War, he served as a clinical microbiologist and laboratory officer at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital (4010th U.S. Army Hospital) in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Dr. Nelson was appointed a professorship in the Department of Biological Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in 1977. Until his retirement in 2022, he taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses in teaching, he was a fervent researcher. He authored numerous articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and successfully acquired funding for his research from various institutions at the local, state, and federal level. He also served as the undergraduate coordinator of biological sciences and was a member of Faculty Senate where he was elected to the Executive Council. Dr. Nelson married Dorothy Frances Burton in Hammond, Louisiana on October 11, 2003, living a life of wedded bliss from that day forward. They travelled the world together exploring national parks across the U.S., vacationing in countries all across Europe, relaxing on cruise ships, and journeying to far-off lands like Russia and Ecuador. When not travelling, they embraced their time together by going to the theater to see movies and plays, going out dancing, spoiling their grandchildren, and enjoying simple activities like lounging on the couch for a movie night, drinking coffee on the porch, or holding hands and taking a stroll through the neighborhood. Dr. Nelson is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Lawrence Nelson. He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Dorothy; son Steven (Tracy) Nelson; daughter Rebecca (Alan) Melton; sisters Carol Sue (John) Lowry, Mary (Richard) Jeffries, Alice Nelson, and Milly (Kenny) Long; stepchildren Brittney (Mike) Hager, Colleen (David) Couvillon, Jeffrey (Catherine) Burton, Jr., and John (Brittany) Burton; eleven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Edward Thomas Nelson, known by his loved ones as Ed or "Doc", will be remembered fondly as an incredibly intelligent, humble, kind, and generous man. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, students, and everyone else who had the good fortune to be a part of his life. To all attending, your presence is deeply appreciated. Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Service at St. Timothy on the Northshore, 335 Asbury Dr., Mandeville, LA 70471 on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00 AM until service time. Interment will be held privately at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Slidell, LA. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

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Published by The Times-Picayune on Oct. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Nelson

Sponsored by E.J. Fielding Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

6 Entries

Laura

May 25, 2023

Dr. Nelson was my teacher at SELU. I was always fascinated at everything he did. - I remember during a class he started off by saying, "anyone heard of Q fever?" "I had it!" Huh! He would draw the class attention even more. At that time, the late 90s, my son was also at SELU. We both were in nursing. He didn´t have Dr. Nelson and I asked the doctor if he could just sit in some classes. Of course. My son was also fascinated w this man. - Today I attempted to email my favorite teacher about a mitochondria question and I saw he wasn´t Biology Head, figured he retired, and someone wrote back w this sad news. I tell you I am just devastated over this. What a loss. my son and I always brought his name up over the years. I sure hope one of his kids or grandkids followed in his footsteps.

Marilyn Ranatza

October 5, 2022

Dr. Nelson was my absolute favorite professor. He was also my advisor and without his help and guidance, I may have never gotten my degree. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.