Robert Zane "R.Z." Nelson

Robert Zane "R. Z." Nelson left this world and those who loved him on December 28, 2014. He was 73 and fought a valiant battle recovering from a stroke in 2000. R. Z. attended private military schools since age 8 and was a proud Veteran of the U. S. Army. A successful entrepreneur, he operated his own brokerage life insurance agency since 1976 and a career highlight was when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Memphis Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2001. Always mindful of and living as a Giver and not a Taker, R.Z. enjoyed working in many civic organizations including Sertoma Club, Memphis Boys' Town, Liberty Bowl Board of Directors, Countrywood Homeowners Association, Highland Hundred, Ptah and others.

One of R. Z.'s passions was University of Memphis Football since the 1970's. Through the years he enjoyed planning trips to the away games and tailgating with friends and family at the home games. Due to mobility limitations he was unable to attend many games since his stroke, but was always there in spirit. Boating on the Mississippi River brought him much joy and relaxation. He enjoyed outings with the Memphis Yacht Club over the years and served as an officer on the club's Board of Directors. He never met a stranger and enjoyed many social activities through the years, always stepping up to share his expertise with whatever needed to be done. R. Z. was an animal lover and enjoyed fishing but not hunting. Dogs and cats were in his family home through the years and were treated as family. He valued his friends and family above all and sadly, many good friends and family members have left this world before he did. He was a Christian and will see them all again. R. Z. adored his father, Waldean "Jerry" Nelson, who raised him as a single parent and who died from a stroke in 1973. His stepmother, Lillian McGill, predeceased him in 2008. He was an only child. Family members left behind to celebrate his life are Carol F. Nelson, his wife of 38 years and his caregiver since 2000. He also leaves a son, Chris Pritchard (Amy) of Germantown, TN, and two granddaughters, Christy Pritchard and Shay Pritchard. He also leaves his daughter, Stephanie Nelson Petrosky (John) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and two grandsons, Mathew Petrosky and Mason Petrosky. He leaves daughter, Erica Nelson and granddaughter Victoria Roque of Miami, FL along with many friends, good neighbors, and business associates to smile when they think of him. The family requests memorials to be sent to The Wounded Warrior Project, their local Memphis Humane Shelter, or their charity of choice. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 31 at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd. The family will receive guests beginning at 1 p.m. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net