DL Capt. Donald N. Nelson

~ IN MEMORY ~

USN veteran, DL Capt. Donald N. Nelson

April 21, 1932 ~ April 28, 2020

News with the passing of Captain Don Nelson has reached our group … Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta pilot Captain Donald Noell Nelson was 88 years of age at the time of his passing. Captain Nelson joined Delta Air Lines 11-10-1958 and retired with Delta in 1992 based Atlanta.  Captain Nelson is survived by his wife Doris as well as his children and grandchildren.

News article/obituary information may be viewed online at

https://epaper.ajc.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?artguid=427137f8-15f0-4867-8395-1e47f6cadd90&utm_source=app.pagesuite&utm_medium=app-interaction&utm_campaign=pagesuite-epaper-ipad_share-article&appid=2870 

Also online at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/donald-nelson-obituary?pid=196164243&affiliateid=1031

For those wishing to contact the family, Doris is listed in whitepages at

 481 NORTHOLT PKWY APT 4014, SUWANEE GA 30024-4412

Perhaps a good alternate contact would be son Chris who is listed at

 620 Manor Glen Dr.,  Suwanee, GA 30024.

Should we receive further corrections or updates, we will be sure to post them.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary………… Donald Noell Nelson a long time resident of Atlanta, passed away April 28, 2020 surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Don was born to Cliff and Dorothy Nelson, on April 21,1932 in Cincinnati, OH. He graduated from Miami University.

He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and flew the “famed” F9F Cougar. He flew mission trips during the Korean war on the carrier U.S.S. Bennington. He was a proud American and loved his country.

Being a man of faith he said, “I know that I must put my trust in God in the same way I put my faith in my airplane engine. I trust God because I know He is never failing.”

While stationed in Jacksonville, FL, Don met the love of his life Doris. They married in 1956. He took a job with Delta Airlines they settled in Atlanta and kept a second home on the Florida coast.

Being an airline captain was never work to Don. He felt fortunate saying, “they pay me for this?” Traveling was a passion.

Don was generous with his time. He volunteered at Georgia Public Broadcasting, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and Angel Flight to name a few. One of his fondest memories was volunteering for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Don was adventurous. He was a member of Southern Bicycle League. He was an avid snow skier and loved sailing. He enjoyed riding roller coasters, music, arts, and movies well into his 80s.

Don enjoyed his retirement spending time with his grandchildren. His pets were always family to him.

Don was an example to us all. He never held a grudge. He was always the first to say hello. He was kind, loyal, humble, and honorable.

He is survived by his wife Doris, son Chris (Debi,) daughters Noelle LeBaron (Richard,) Stacey Evans (Gareth,) and four grandchildren Mia, Lili, Rhys, and Jack.

To honor Don, go ride a bike, ski down a mountain, and take that trip!