Richard Eric Nelson

Richard Eric Nelson died on July 8, 2023, shortly after the death of his beloved wife Sara Hall Nelson. Eric and Sara lived together at Ambrosia Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, where he loved planting fruit trees and Romaine lettuce (only Romaine would do), riding in the mule with his golden retriever Molly, cooking chickens in the Big Green Egg, and sitting on the porch listening to jazz. Eric was a true craftsman – woodworking was both a passion and his vocation in his business Nelson Craft. He had a way with wood, making fine armoires, beautiful tables, and even a Piper Cub riding toy for his grandson Will. Eric made most of the furniture in their home, often letting his grandchildren help and always insisting that they sign their work along with him. As a gift to Grace Church, Eric made wooden cremation boxes, and both he and Sara were buried in boxes he made. Eric was a sailor at heart. He built boats, sailed boats, and raced boats, winning most races he entered. He loved watching the wind on the water. In his early years, he sailed in the America's Cup, and later, he built his favorite sailboat, The Otter, which he loved to sail in Perdido Bay. Eric studied Engineering at Tulane University. He was a veteran, serving his country as an Ensign in the US Coast Guard. Eric is survived by his brother Kent Nelson (Alice). Eric had no children of his own, but he made Sara's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren his own. They are: Beverly Grant (David), Sara Anne Ford (Russ) and Larkin Carter (Pam); grandchildren Will Grant (Rachel), Anne Grant, Mary Bailey (Grahm), Sam Ford (Caroline), Jack Ford, Drew Carter (Aaren), Frances Lancaster (Jonathan) and Katie Artigues (Matthew); and great grandchildren Gigi Ford, Charlie Lancaster and Leavitt Bailey. Eric had many friends, and both they and his family will miss so much about him – his storytelling, his smile, his homemade bread, his Oysters Aunt Nellie and of course, his Romaine lettuce. A graveside service was held for Eric and Sara at Grace Church, where their ashes are buried.