Lt. Col. Rondle Lee Nelson, United States Army (Ret.)

1/30/2010

1/30/2010

Lt. Col. Rondle Lee Nelson, United States Army (Ret.)

Ron Nelson was born July 25, 1943 in Evansville, Indiana and passed away at his home in Georgetown, Texas on October 28, 2010, at the age of 67.

Ron grew up in Evansville, then attended the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelors Degree.  He went on to achieve his Masters Degree from South Illinois University.

Ron joined the United States Army in 1966 and served for over 22 years, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

He married Sandra Ann Walsh in 1968 and they traveled the world during his Army career.  After retiring from the Army, they settled in Southern California for 17 years while Ron worked as a Program Manager for Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Ron and Sandra moved to Georgetown, Texas, in his second retirement, in 2006.  Ron was an avid model train collector, enjoyed golfing with friends and fishing with his son and grandsons.  He loved his Harley Davidson and was a proud and dedicated member of the Patriot Guard Riders for the past three years.

On November 1, Patriot Guard Riders from the Austin and CENTEX Regions  gathered in Georgetown at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, for Ron’s last ride.  The Riders were briefed on this mission for their comrade.  A contingent of the Riders proceeded to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Cornhill, Texas.  There they formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome family and friends as they arrived for the Memorial Mass.

The remainder of the Riders escorted the couch,  carrying Ron on his last mission, from the Chapel to the Church.  At the Church, six of the Riders removed Ron’s flag draped coffin from the couch and transferred it to a rolling bier.  As the coffin was moved into the Church, the Riders stood at attention and saluted  Ron for the last time.

Interment services with full military honors are to be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Left to cherish Ron’s memory are his wife of over 40 years, two daughters, one son, one sister, four grandchildren and a host of other family and friends, and his fellow Patriot Guard Riders in Texas.

My Soldier's Prayer

 

O Lord My God I praise your power,

I praise your commands from above.

You gave me a servant's heart when

I chose to protect those I love.

I gave my heart,

I gave my soul,

To toil, to fight,

To make peace my goal.

I fought for justice, fought for truth,

I defended those more helpless than I

The toll it took no one would know,

For you called me home in the wink of an eye.

Your orders were to give my life for the love of my

fellow man so I hope dear Lord I've done my job

I've done the best that I can.

You'll always be my Commander-in-Chief

My Leader, My Ultimate Guide

Please take me now to your Heaven of peace where

I may rest and abide.

Amen

With thanks to The Gabriels Funeral Chapel for biographical information.