Gary Eley Nelson

Gary Eley Nelson, a 35-year resident of Albuquerque, passed away at home on August 9 at the age of 77.

Gary grew up in Middle Tennessee, where his youth was filled with scouting, boating on Center Hill Lake, playing in the marching band, and reading mystery novels. He earned a business degree from Tennessee Tech University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Gary owned several businesses over the years and figured he had sold almost everything under the sun. His true passion, though, was real estate; he delighted in helping people find their dream homes in the city he loved and knew like the back of his hand. Always energetic, optimistic, and on the go, Gary never met a stranger. He took the time to encourage and help everyone he came across, and a complaint or negative word rarely passed his lips.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus, and Frances (Eley) Nelson, of Shelbyville, TN. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen (Spruill) Nelson; children Kevin and Terri; son-in-law John; and grandchildren Isabel, Madeline, and Gary, all of Albuquerque, NM; as well as his brother Rufus Nelson, Jr., of Murfreesboro, TN.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 11:00am at FRENCH-Wyoming. Interment will be at Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, TN, at a later date. The family wishes to thank "Dr. Jill" and all the home health aides who helped care for Gary these last years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org/ or the Michael J. Fox Foundation www.michaeljfox.org/.