Born October 13, 1930, he was a child of the Great Depression. His parents farmed land that would eventually be enveloped by the expansion of Fort Hood and the growth of Killeen. His youth was difficult. He lost his father at the age of seven. His mother and siblings struggled to grow cotton and food crops in the clay and loam that make up the Central Texas soil. As the fort began to absorb the farms in the area, his mother chose to move to Copperas Cove. At that time, work was scarce for all. As a youth, Nelson broke horses and worked in the downtown theater.
He eventually decided to leave Copperas Cove for the United States Navy. His Navy career took him around the world, including transiting both the Panama and Suez canals. His service included time on oil tankers, submarine tenders, and diesel electric submarines. At the end of his career, he was an instructor at the Naval Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. He retired with the rate of Chief Petty Officer.
He met and married the love of his life, Myrna, while stationed on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. They would marry on May 16,1953 and spend the next 70 years together. They had three children and returned to Copperas Cove following his Navy retirement.
After retiring from the Navy, Nelson had a second successful career with the U.S. Post Office. Following his 20-year retirement from the Post Office, he worked for Home Lumber/Ace Hardware in Copperas Cove.
Nelson had many hobbies that kept him busy. A highly skilled wood crafter, he spent countless hours working in his shed creating roll-top desks, ironing board chairs, 'tater boxes, built-in shelves, and other projects that are still being enjoyed around the Copperas Cove area today. He also loved to fish. He spent countless days on both the Colorado and Lampasas rivers with his family and friends fishing for white bass and catfish. He loved to play golf at the Hills of Cove Golf Course. His choppy swing generated drives that shouldn’t have been possible. He was also a skilled handyman who often volunteered to help others. Using these skills, he selflessly took care of maintenance needs at Grace United Methodist Church.
Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his granddaughter Lisa (Fjeldal) Partin. He is survived by his wife, Myrna Schulze of Copperas Cove, TX, his daughter, Dixie Fjeldal of Temple, TX, his son, Nelson E. Schulze and his wife Rhonda of Kempner, TX, his daughter Myrna Brown and her husband Robert of Kempner, TX, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family and friends.
A memorial service for Nelson will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Grace United Methodist Church in Copperas Cove.
Nelson's interment will be at the Lutheran Church Cemetery on Old FM 440 in Killeen, TX.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Schulze family.
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