Roger Allan Nelson

ROWLETT, TX-Roger Allan Nelson passed away peacefully, March 18, 2015, at his home. Roger was born in Adrian, MI and grew up in Milwaukee, WI and later attended Marquette University located in Milwaukee. He joined the Marines in 1950 and served in Korea. In 1954, he married his adoring wife, Sally Azzolina, in Milwaukee.

His employment included Allis-Chalmers, A.O. Smith, Edison Brothers (chandler Shoes), Capital Records and his own company, Campion Sales, a successful Manufactures rep firm carried on by the family. He resided in Milwaukee, WI; Madison, WI; Dallas, TX; and Rowlett, TX.

Roger’s achievements, awards and recognitions: Master Mason; 33° Scottish Rite Mason, where he spent Saturday mornings cooking breakfast for his fellow brothers, and Past Potentate of the Hella Shrine Temple located in Garland, TX.

If you asked Roger about his biggest achievement, he’d tell you it was bringing “The Arch Ceremony” to Hella Shrine Temple. He directed and acted as” Master of Ceremony” for 14 years and took the production to other Temples all over Texas. It explains the three degrees of Masonry, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Shrine, the Shrine and Scottish Rite Hospitals and the history of each. At the conclusion, you are informed, proud, and wiping away a tear as “The Silent Messenger” rolls up his sleeves and bends down to carry a handicapped child. This is the man that made me want to become a Mason, my 1st Line signer and my friend.

His Masonic history included: being Raised in the Lafayette Lodge 265 in Milwaukee, WI in 1967; he joined the Dallas Lodge 760, Dallas, TX, in 1988; started the Zavala Lodge 1059 in Dallas, TX, in 1999. In 2001 he became Junior Warden; 2002-Senior Warden; 2003-Worshipful Master; and in 2008, he was awarded the “Golden Trowel” for Masonic Service, the highest honor that a lodge can bestow on a fellow Mason.

Roger’s Shrine Service began by joining the Tripoli Temple in Milwaukee in 1976; in 1997 he was elected to the Hella Oriental Guide; 1998-High Priest & Prophet; 1999-Assitant Rabban; 2000-Chief Rabban; 2001-Potentate; 2006 to 2009-Treasurer; and 2010 thru 2015-Recorder. He also served in numerous capacities: Imperial Council Rep, Mini Patrol, Directors Staff, Building Committee, Assoc. Member, 1st Line Signer for countless Masons and Shriners, Black Horse Patrol, Cavaliers, Camel Herders, Scottish Rite, Boat Club, Decorating Committee, Hella E-Staff, 101 Association, Staff, Top of Dallas, Plano Shrine Club, Sons of Hella, 101 Association, Guards, Directors Staff, Novice Committee, Sons of Hella, Finance & Accounts, Knights of Mecca, Garland Shrine, Insurance Committee, Audio & Video Equipment Committee, & Hella Hospital Committee.

He received from the General Award Program: Award of Merit; Charm; Ruby; Diamond; Emerald; and Alexandrite.

He was deeply committed to the Shriner’s and Scottish Rite Hospitals and involved in ticket sells for the Hella Shrine Circus. Always looking for new fund raising opportunities for the Hospitals, he was involved in creating “The Bayview Boat Club Charity Poker Run and Regatta”, the” Hella Shrine Golf Tournament” and working with “Motor Cops for Kids”.

Roger has always been steadfast and committed to his family, his religion, his community, and his unwavering beliefs. He enjoyed boating, hunting, attending movies and plays, was fun loving and loved be surrounded by family and friends.

Roger is preceded by his father, Gilbert R. Nelson and mother, Carrie Lewis Nelson.

He is survived by his loving wife of (60) years, Sally; sister, Sharon Johnson and her husband Kerwin of Pine, AZ; son, Larry Nelson and his wife, Julie of Rowlett; daughter, Lori Lee and her husband, Pat of Rowlett; daughter, Lynn Dabney and her husband, Scott of Coppell; grandson, Luke Hagar and his wife, Heather of Flower Mound; grandson, Mike Nelson and Matt Nelson of Dallas; granddaughter, Nicole Dabney of Coppell; granddaughter, Jessica McDonald of Hollywood, CA; granddaughter, Lauren Lee of Dallas, TX; grandson, Cody Maupin of Rockwall; and (3) great grandchildren: Tyler, Cecilia, and Angelo.

Viewing will be Sunday, March 22nd from 2:00 to 6:00 at Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home, 1029 Greenville Ave. in Richardson. A service will follow on Monday at 1:00 P.M. also at Sparkman Richardson Funeral. There will be a memorial service, 6:30 Monday evening at the Hella Shrine Temple, 2121 Rowlett Rd., Garland, TX. For information, call 972 240-6624.

Donations in the name of Roger to the Shriner’s Hospitals, or Scottish Rite would be would be appreciated. This would honor his steadfast dedication and work lasting almost 50 years.