Gerald "Jerry" Nelson

It would be difficult to ask for a more kind and loving person than Gerald Nelson. He committed himself to his faith and to his family, executing each task before him with a sense of compassion and integrity. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and son, he graciously lived his life in the service of others.

Gerald, nicknamed Jerry, was born in the early fall of 1946. Just as the leaves began to turn color in Kellogsville, Michigan, Rex and Bea (Zink) Nelson welcomed their son into the world on the twentieth of September. Jerry would be one of four children, and he would be part of a loving family.

Attending Kellogsville area schools, Jerry was an active young child. While in junior high school he played baseball and basketball. He enjoyed playing baseball and played in high school and on church leagues later in life. He even broke his arm once while playing ball, but Jerry wasn't discouraged in the least. He simply went on to play again. It was not unlike Jerry to persevere in times of difficulty. As a teenager, Jerry was a hard worker, and even once cleaned horse stalls. At age 18 he went to work at U.P.S. part time, something he would continue to do all through college.

Jerry's family were members of Grand Rapids First Assembly of God, and were very active there. His aunt was a member of Faith Assembly of God, and one Christmas she took her family, including Jerry, along to church. He was 13 at the time and while there he met a 12 year old girl by the name of Connie Tieri, and the two began a friendship that would eventually turn into the core unit of Jerry's life. The two young love birds were friends and not allowed to date yet, but they kept in contact over the phone for a few years. They started to date as soon as their parents would allow them, and their love was blossoming more every day. The couple were finally married on August 4, 1966 at First Assembly of God in Grand Rapids, Michigan when Connie was 18 and Jerry, 19. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls and soon after moved into an apartment on Richmond N.W.

At that time Jerry was a student at Grand Valley State College and Connie helped support them. Jerry went to school during the day and went to work at UPS in the evenings. After graduation from Grand Valley State College in 1968 with a teaching degree, he went to teach in the Northview School System. He taught Junior High Math, and after two years he and Connie moved to Jenison where he taught at Jenison Middle School for a year, all the while continuing to work part time at night at U.P.S.

Impressed with Jerry's attention to detail and his commitment to his job, UPS asked him to come to work for them full time. He then quit teaching and went to work full time for UPS in a management position. After being transferred to a UPS location in Muskegon, the family moved to Coopersville, where they lived for about 10 years. Jerry and Connie were blessed with three sons - Jerry Jr., Todd, and Chad.

The Nelsons were a very active family. Jerry thought it necessary to enjoy each day as the Lord gave them to him, and so the family vacationed together as much as they could. They traveled all over the U.S., and after Jerry retired they traveled all the more. They have been to every continent except Antarctica and Asia. He and Connie liked to travel together with their family to places like Cancun, Mexico, creating so many lasting memories as they lived their lives together.

When Jerry was transferred back to Grand Rapids, they moved to a home in Grandville which was close to church, which Jerry was also very active in. He attended Grand Rapids First Assembly of God, serving as a deacon and as President of the Tri-unity School Board for 10 years. He was a very committed Christian, and went on mission trips to places like Honduras, Siberia and Costa Rica. His contribution to the mission work was in construction projects, and Jerry made sure that each trip was a success.

After Jerry retired, he and Connie traveled extensively around the world. During his retirement, he put his management skills to work by starting J & J Concepts, a home-building venture with his son, Jerry Jr. He also learned to fly fish from his friend Harold (Woody) Woodard. Most of the time when he went fly fishing in a river, he would get “baptized,” as he would usually trip over a submerged log or rock and end up in the water! He had a passion for golf, especially with his sons. The four of them loved to play together as often as possible.

Because Jerry and Connie were such a caring and compassionate duo, they had many friends throughout the years. They had a Breakfast group from church that would assemble every Sunday AM for breakfast at a restaurant and met monthly to pray for their children. The group also met on Wednesday evenings after church, along with a morning coffee group that met daily for coffee and conversation. Jerry enjoyed community fellowship, and was a naturally good leader.

The highlight of Jerry's life was spending time with his grandchildren, and he loved getting on their level and speaking into their lives individually. It was of the utmost importance to Jerry to show love to his family. His thoughtfulness was shown each Valentine's Day when he bought Godiva chocolates for his daughters-in-law. He was always surprising Connie with special gifts and cards, determined to remind her that she was the love of his life.

Mr. Gerald “Jerry” Nelson Sr., aged 63 of Hudsonville, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and son, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 2, 2009 after his battle with esophageal cancer. He is survived by his wife, of 43 years, Connie Nelson, their children Jerry Jr. and Patti Nelson, and grandchildren, Shelby, Courtney and Caitlin, Rev. Todd and Renee Nelson and grandchildren Pierson, Perrin, Providence and Phoenix- Jade, Rev. Chad and Jennifer Nelson and grandchildren Quinn and Marin, his mother Bea Nelson, his brothers and sisters-in-law Roger and Tonia Nelson, Dennis and Karin Nelson and Phillip and Sherri Nelson, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ron and Judy Tieri and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge the thoughtful and compassionate care provided by Dr. Richard Switzer, Dr. Timothy O’Rourke and also the nursing staff at Butterworth Hospital. The family appreciates the special visits and encouragement provided by Rev. Jack and Judy Pepple. The memorial service will be held Monday October 5 at 11 AM at the Grand Rapids First Assembly Lighthouse Auditorium with Rev. Sam Rijfkogel officiating. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Jerry Nelson reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. where relatives and friends may meet his family Sunday from 2 – 8 P.M. and at the church Monday from 10 A.M. until the time of the memorial service. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Grand Rapids First Assembly Beyond Limits would be appreciated. To read more of Jerry’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.