Carl Godfrey Nelson

Carl Godfrey Nelson: Husband, Dad, Unc, Brother, Papa “bestest buddy,” and friend, died on August 28, 2022, in Hensley, Arkansas. He loved life and lived it to the fullest! Carl was born in Walsenburg, Colorado, on October 11, 1925. He grew up around family who were hard-working and knew the value of a dollar. Carl learned to save at an early age, ultimately paving the way to a successful future.

Carl attended schools in Walsenburg in his early years. When he turned fifteen, Carl and his family moved to Inglewood, California, where he would finish high school and get drafted into the United States Navy. Carl served his time as a Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class, during World War II, on the ship: Patroclus. After serving in the Navy, Carl pursued a degree in Petroleum Engineering from USC. While at USC, he joined a fraternity, Pi Epsilon Tau, and persevered in his studies, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Geology/Petroleum Engineering. For the next 30 years, Carl worked for various oil companies, and finally settled in with Getty Oil. He worked hard, only calling in sick once. Carl worked on oil projects, often traveling out of town, state, or country. His last project he worked on before retiring was the Kern Co-Generation Plant.

Carl met and married Eva Joye on May 14, 1976, and adopted her daughter, Danette Joye as his own. Carl and Eva loved to entertain, travel in their motorhome, visit relatives, be with friends, sail (in the early years), bowl, and spend endless hours playing games, stickers, and play dough with his granddaughter, Rebekah. and just relax. After Eva’s death in 2001, Carl had to relearn how to navigate through life without her. He later sold his home they shared together, and moved into a retirement community: Rosewood. Carl lived there for four years until the pandemic; then moved to Hensley, Arkansas with his daughter and her husband. He spent his last year in the country, surrounded by lush green trees, a pond, and ten acres. Carl loved riding in the Polaris with his son-in-law Ron, watching the fish, turtles, squirrels and birds. Carl said he loved the country life!

Carl is survived by his daughter, Danette Maniord (Ron), granddaughter, Rebekah Murphy (Brian), great-grandson Levi Murphy; nephews Dr. Mark Stewart (Karen), Dennis Stewart (Margaret); and niece Dr. Melissa Vallee (Dr. Jack); half brother’s Eric Nelson and David Nelson, and half sister, Carla Nelson. Lastly, Carl is survived by his fur companion, Dinky, who gave him comfort and peace until his final breathe.

A graveside service for Carl will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Nelson family.