Clifton Cleo Nelson

Clifton C. Nelson was born in Cameron, Missouri on April 29, 1949. He passed away on February 1, 2022, at the age of 72. He lived with his partner and best friend, Rebecca Cooper Nelson, for 26 years until her passing in 2018. He was a loyal and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Clif graduated from High School in Cameron, Missouri in 1967. After graduating, he entered the United States Marine Corp on August 11, 1967. He was a proud Marine and Vietnam Vet. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Naval Aviation at Millington, Tennessee, Cherry Point Air Station, West Back (Nam), Fatima Air Station and Sub-Unit Danang. He worked in Avionics and on multiple aircrafts such as C 130 Hercules, DC-3’s, DC-4’s, T33’s, and A-4 Skyhawks. He was honorably discharged on 5/24/1971. Shortly after his discharge from the Military he married his first wife, Jill Moore. After his Military service and extensive IT training, Clif began his career in IT service and support at IBM and worked there until his retirement.

Clif was truly the most kind and generous man and always had a smile on his face. He would do anything for anyone and had a hilarious sense of humor. He was always cracking jokes to make people laugh and to lighten things up. He loved the outdoors and the simple things in life. Everyone loved Clif.

Clif enjoyed many activities: grilling, and was known for his amazing beer Brats, feasting on crab legs, hot, hot peppers, shooting with his collection of guns and rifles, watching the Kansas City Chiefs, going on hunting and camping trips with his buddies and fixing anything, as he was a jack of all trades with a garage full of tools and machinery.

Clif was loved by many. He formed lifelong friendships starting in childhood, throughout his military service, career and retirement. He most recently made many friends at the Cardiac Rehab in Tucson and the Tucson VFW, where he frequented for many events. He loved spending time with his friends and family. To his grandchildren, he was called the “desert grandpa.”

He is survived by his children Desiree Murphy and Paul Nelson, and his grandchildren, Julianna and Annabelle Murphy and Natalie Nelson and his brothers, Leonard and Reed Nelson and sisters, Paula Way and Pam Tanner Stigall. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Dawn and Richard Delia and his step-grandchildren, Sophia and Simone Bertucci and Melanie Delia.