Darwin Bruce NELSON

1942 - 2017

NELSON, Darwin Bruce
Darwin Bruce Nelson, 74 of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 26, 2017.

Darwin was born on December 29, 1942 in Fentress, Texas to Renold Stedman Nelson and Laverne Merle "Pat" Baker. Darwin's two sisters, Ann Nelson Leamon and Laurie Nelson Stafford, are of Davis, California and his brother Alan Arnold is of Fentress, Texas.

Darwin grew up just outside Luling, Texas in McNeil on a small farm with his grandparents Charles and Erna Baker. He graduated from Luling High School in 1961, where he played on almost every varsity team in an effort to escape the farm, take hot showers, and spend time with friends Nathan Pierce and Gary Low. Darwin married his high school sweetheart Ellen Kaye Welch on July 6, 1962. Darwin earned a Bachelor's degree at the University of Corpus Christi, and his Masters and Doctorate at East Texas State University. Immediately after earning his PhD, Darwin accepted a position on the faculty at Mississippi State University. He returned to Texas when he accepted a position as the Director of the counseling Center at Texas A&I University in Kingsville. During his early career, he also taught classes, began a private practice in Corpus Christi, Texas and served as Director of the University Counseling Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. In 1977, Darwin began working professionally with Gary Low in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they authored books, articles, and assessment instruments that are used worldwide in education, training, and teaching. Darwin and Gary worked collaboratively with educators, organizations, and colleges in an effort to build healthy students, people, organizations, and communities. Darwin also established the Personal/Life Skills Center in Corpus Christi, where he welcomed colleagues to consult, train, and practice.

Darwin was always busy and never went small into any endeavor. He was a dreamer and a doer, collecting old bottles, combing the beach, metal detecting, hunting arrow heads, throwing darts, growing bamboo, and carving wood. Darwin's love of bamboo is what led to the establishment of Nelson Bamboo Farm and the beginning of BambooTexas.com, a labor of love and bonding between Darwin and son John.

Darwin is survived by his wife Ellen Kaye Welch Nelson of Corpus Christi, Texas and his two sons Michael and John. Michael and Theresa Nelson reside in Hillsboro, Oregon and John and Wendy Nelson in Hockley, Texas. Michelle, Amy, Austin, and Carter are Darwin's grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday, January 30th, at 9 a.m. at O'Bannon Funeral Home with a service following at 10:30. The O'Bannon Funeral Home is in Luling, Texas at 210 S. Laurel.

The family asks that you remember Darwin as they do, at the center of a circle of friends and family.