Dewey Jack Nelson

Dewey J. Nelson passed peacefully on June 11, 2021. Dewey was born on February 26th, 1925 in the small town of Holcomb, West Virginia, north of Richmond. The town was so small it’s probably not on a map. He was delivered with the help of a midwife; all 8 of his siblings were home born as well. Five boys and three girls.

1925 was the days of the great depression, the first 17 years of his life were influenced by the extreme hardships of the day. By today’s standards, his family was about a mile below today’s poverty level – but if you never had – doing without wasn’t so bad.

His father became sick in 1928 and was in the Catholic Hospital at Richmond, West Virginia. He was diagnosed with ulcers of the stomach and was sent home to die. He passed away at home in April of 1929 at the age of 34. In those days, the undertaker prepared the body at home for burial. Dewey remembered seeing the pennies on his dad’s eyes (to keep the eyes closed). On the day of the funeral, the family walked behind the horse pulling the hearse for about four miles to the cemetery. The youngest sibling was born in June of 1929. His mother was able to keep the family together. His Dad delivered US Mail on horseback, worked as a farmer and also in the coal mines.   

Dewey had a great love for West Virginia; the beautiful hills and streams were always in his dreams.

They moved often, at six years he began school, in a 2 room schoolhouse. At fourteen years Dewey had a goiter wrapped around his wind pipe. He was sick for more than 2 months and missed school for 2 years. Older than others in his grade he dropped out and joined the Navy, April 1st, 1942. Three years after Pearl Harbor. He underwent six weeks of basic training, Platoon #396.

In 18 months he learned how to operate large artillery and was transferred to Amphistus base at Soloms Maryland, Commissioned LCS99 transferred to Cornodo Amphibis base to prepare for the invasion of Japan. (LCM landing craft operator). They set sail for Japan August 8th, 1945. While at sea the Atomic bomb was dropped and the war was over. He went home and had several jobs and then reenlisted for 20 years of active duty and ten years reserves.

Dewey married Catherine Mae Tucci December  1, 1951.  In civilian life he worked in the shipyard and the fire department and in 2 years was promoted to inspector, Captain and Fire Chief. He retired in September of 1982. He also worked in security for the Philadelphia Phillies for 3 years.

The funeral service for Dewey will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 4:00pm at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N Richmond Street, Appleton, WI.  The visitation will be from 2:00pm until the 4:00 pm service.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund is being established.

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