Lonnie E. Nelson

Lonnie Eugene Nelson was born at Intercommunity Hospital in Covina, California to Norman Carl Nelson and Marcella Harriet (Ver Valen) Nelson on October 2, 1946. He grew up on Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California with his parents and sister Carole Faith (Nelson) Willms. While attending Baldwin Park High School, he was a rising track star in the high hurdles before his career was cut short by a drunk driver. Following in his father’s footsteps, he worked at Northrop for over 35 years where he worked on such projects as the B-2 Stealth Bomber. On March 4, 1978 he married Mary Lou (Greenwood) Nelson in a small ceremony with close family and friends in West Covina, California. Lonnie and Mary Lou were married for 34 1/2 years and loved each other unconditionally. Lonnie enjoyed Country music, fishing, woodworking, collecting baseball memorabilia, classic cars, computers, NASCAR and spending time with his family. He was a hard worker and always made sure his family was well provided for. After fighting throat cancer in 2002 and then lung cancer in 2017, he passed away at Citrus Valley Hospice in West Covina, California on May 17, 2019 and joined his loving wife Mary Lou who passed away on September 1, 2012. He also is rejoined with parents Carl and Marcella along with all his family and close friends that were lost over his 72 years on this earth.

Lonnie leaves behind his sister Carole of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and her family. He is also survived by his three beautiful daughters, Kip, Serena and Marcie of Southern California along with their families. His grandchildren Wolfy, Max, Penny, Emmy and Virginia Joy will also carry on his loving legacy.