Louis W. Nelson

Of Fairfax, VA passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2020 at Fairfax Nursing Center, Fairfax, VA.

Lou was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931, grew up in NY & NJ, joined the Navy, and attended the University of Virginia. After graduation, he began his career as an engineer in Charlottesville, VA; met a vibrant & lovely VEPCO home economist named Jean and they married in 1960. They later made homes and a lifetime friendships in Kettering, MD and then Fairfax, VA. He was a man of strong work ethic, quick wit, and quiet humor. As a young man he spent considerable time cycling through the mountains of New England and even rode from Charlottesville, VA to Maine once. His longest one-day ride was 183 miles. He was also the only dad in town that could walk on his hands and do back handsprings across the backyard and organize neighborhood hula hoop & pogo stick championships. It would not be an understatement though to say that his dedication to his career as a naval engineer—for 40+ years—bordered on being extreme, but successful operation and safety of ships was at stake and thus he gave his best. Perhaps it was that and being known for precision that he earned the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Nearly 9 years ago he had a debilitating stroke and Alzheimer’s disease was advancing in his wife; he has since demonstrated that one can live in difficult circumstances and behave in a thankful, gentle, and non-complaining way.

He is preceded in death by his spouse of 56 years, Jean K. Nelson; and survived by his three children, Brian Nelson (Dawn), Diane Smyly (Jim), and Kathy Fioramonti (Joe); and his six grandchildren, Tim, Jimmy, Nathan, Matthew, Duncan, Sarah and great-grandchildren Andrew and Clara. He also leaves multiple grand/great-grand cats, dogs, and a snake.

At this point, a memorial service will happen someday in the future, Lou would adamantly oppose folks gathering on his behalf in a pandemic. Private interment in Pittsburgh also at a later date.