Larry Lee Nelson

A memorial service for Larry Lee Nelson, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2018 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Nelson passed away Thursday morning, October 4, 2018 at his home.

He was born December 13, 1937, at Laramie, Wyoming, to Charles and Ivaun Nelson.  Larry attended The School of Mines at Rolla, Missouri and went on to receive his Master’s in Metallurgy at the University Of Denver.  On January 27, 1968, he married at Denver, Colorado, to Valerie Jane Geltz.  In 1970, they moved to Ironton, Missouri.  Larry worked for the Asarco Plant as a Metallurgist and taught at South Iron High School, Annapolis, Missouri.  He later gained his real estate agent license and taught at Arcadia Valley High, Ironton, Missouri.  In 1988, he and his family came to West Plains, Missouri, where he taught for Bakersfield High School and SMSU University, (now known as MSU) West Plains, Missouri.  Being a highly intelligent person with many talents and hobbies, he was also a gifted flintknapper, recognized by many for this.  Larry taught others this talent and was mentioned in several articles.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, looking for arrowheads and the many aspects of the archaeology field.

He is survived by his loving wife, Valerie, of the family home; two daughters, Laura Hurt and husband, Bob, West Plains, Missouri and Tina Howell and husband, Robert, Caulfield, Missouri; four grandchildren, Allison Ruengert, Chris Ruengert and wife, Leslee, all of West Plains, Luke Freeman and Harlie Howell, both of Caulfield, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Madelyn Ruengert and Adam Ruengert, both of West Plains; one brother, Dave Nelson, Kearney, Missouri; one sister, Kathy Smith and husband, Warren, Kansas City, Missouri; and a whole host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charlie and Jerry Nelson, two uncles, Ed Cornelius and Mason Willadsen and one aunt, Mildred Willadsen.

Memorial contributions may be made to The West Plains Elk’s Club and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.