Donald Nelson

February 28, 2024

Donald B. Nelson passed away on February 28, 2024 at the age of 85, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Don came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska Don had Cornhusker running through his veins. As a child, he attended NU football games before he could walk with his father Clyne, mother Mildred, and his brother Gordon. After a successful football career at Benson High School in Omaha. Don then took his football talent to the University of Nebraska unfortunately cut short by a career ending knee injury.

After college Don's Insurance business brought him to Tulsa, OK so he moved his young family, but Nebraska never really left him. So in 1981, he helped create the Oklahoma Cornhuskers Club (OCC) with just a few brave souls in hostile enemy territory. The club quickly gained in membership and drew the attention of the NU Athletics Department. It was not uncommon for the likes of legendary Nebraska football coaches Bob Devaney, Tom Osbourne, and all three Nebraska Heisman winners Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier, and Eric Crouch to visit Oklahoma for various OCC sponsored events.

Aside from NU football Don loved his friends, family, and drawing people together.

He cherished his loving wife Linda. The soul mates were together over 30 years and virtually inseparable. Truly the love of his life.

Don is survived by his wife, Linda Nelson; son, Jeff Nelson (Becky); daughter, Leslie Johnson (Ken); son, Nick Nelson (Emily); son-in-law Lance Tucker (Becky); Brett Tucker (Terri); daughter-in-law Lisa Cates (Mark), grand children Hannah Lareau, TJ Turner, Dayton Nelson, Ben Nelson, Sean Nelson, Kara Nelson, and several great grand children, and preceded in death by his daughter, Jill Thomas.

Don will be honored in a celebration of life on March 9, 2024 at Remingtons Sports Bar the site of OCC gatherings and watchparties from 2 – 4 pm.