Eli Nash Jr.

Eli was born on November 4, 1935, in Muskogee, OK, to Eli Nash Sr. and Lena Owens. They relocated to Washington DC when he was nine where he attended Col Charles Young Platoon Elementary School and Garnet Patterson Junior High School. He graduated from Dunbar High School in 1953, where he excelled in academics and played first baseman on the baseball team.

After graduation, Eli served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for three years. Upon returning home, he began working at the United States Post Office while attending DC Teachers College, where he played on the football and baseball teams.

In 1964, Eli earned his B.S. and Juris Doctor degree from the Washington College of Law - American University in Washington, DC.

Eli's legal career began with the National Labor Relations Board, and in 1977, he became an Administrative Law Judge. He served at the Social Security Administration, the Department of Labor, and the FLRA. In 2001, he was appointed Chief Administrative Law Judge, where he managed the FLRA Office of Administrative Law Judges for 15 years until his retirement in 2016. Eli's legal career spanned 35 years, during which he gained a reputation as a skilled and fair adjudicator in labor law.

In 1958, Eli married Anita Brooks, and they welcomed their first child, Steven Nash, in 1960. He later married Martha Jo Singleterry in 1972 and had two children, Sydney White and Reggie Nash. Eli married his beloved wife, Carol Finney-Nash, in 1985, where two more stepchildren, John Finney and Nia-Nicole Bain joined the Nash clan. Eli and Carol remained married until his death.

He was generous with his time and supported many causes and foundations including Bernadette’s House and Stoddard Baptist Home Foundation, that focused on caring for the dignity and justice of humans.

Eli Nash Jr. was deeply loved by his family, which includes his wife, Carol Nash; his children, Deacon Steven Nash (Stephanie), Sydney Nash, Reggie Nash (Hilda), John Finney, and Nia-Nicole Bain (Quezi); his eight grandchildren; and his two great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his kind heart, his unwavering dedication to his family, his unbeatable sense of humor, and his distinguished legal career.

A private memorial service for Eli Nash Jr. will be held at his home, where he will be remembered fondly by family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests support of Bernadette’s House at bernadetteshouse.org.

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