Fred Udell Nelson, 77, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on December 11, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. He was born October 10, 1941 in Thatcher, Arizona. He lived all of his life in Mesa working as an engineer for Motorola/General Dynamics/Raytheon, primarily on the Black III missile program.
Fred is preceded in death by his father, Udell A. Nelson; his parents, Ruth Echols and Roe M. Shupe; his wife, Judy Gentry Nelson; sister, Jane Ruth Nelson; brothers, Roy Everett and William Jay Shupe; sister, Nada Marie; brothers, Kenneth and Dorlen Shupe; half-brothers, Udell A. Nelson Jr. and Rusty Nelson; and step-brother, Sonny Peck.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Nelson; sons, Van A. (Lisa) Hampton and Steven (Laurie) Hampton; grandchildren, Jack and Thomas Hampton and Adam, Brittney, and Cody Hampton; great-granddaughter, Sophie Ray Hampton; cousins; and many nephews, nieces, and friends that love him.
Fred’s siblings are as follows: Denny (Peggy) Nelson, Brenda Rudd, Kay Chapman, Sandra (Darrel) Hancock, Ivan (Dorothy) Shupe, Shelley (Rick) Clouse, Cheri (Jack) Eagar, half-brother, Boyce (Denise) Nelson, step-sister, Marla Ann Hannah, and step-brother, Vonnie (Connie) Peck.
A viewing will be held at 9:00am, funeral service at 10:00am, on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the Vista Peaks Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1430 North Recker Road, Mesa, Arizona 85205. Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201, handled the arrangements.
I want to Express my love to Wanda and my siblings for all they have done to be a light to Fred. He enjoyed you and the extension of your love and friendship to Include him in family events. He so much cherished those moments and memories. We unite our faith and prayers in strength and support in our salute to Fred and his accomplishs.in his life. He is dearly loved and will be missed. Loves and Hugs to you!
My deepest condolences to Fred’s wife and family. He will be sorely missed
Uncle Fred has been a part of our lives since my sister Paula Buchanan (Mike) and I were babies. He was married to our Aunt Julia Pearl Nelson for many years. We loved Uncle Fred dearly and he will be greatly missed. He loved his work and never really wanted to retire. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Wanda who brought him back to the church and never left his side during his illness. We extend love and light to the entire Nelson family. May his memory be a blessing to all that loved him and may he rest in eternal peace.
What a sweet man my brother was and is. I’m so happy to have gotten to know him these last few years. I loved that grin that would escape every now and then. It would expose the true sweet spirit he had. You will be missed Fred but your presence will be with us always. Love you bunches Wanda.
Condolences to my sister Wanda for the loss of her love, husband, and best friend Fred.
As said by many Fred was a gentle and loving man. Fred loved his family and held close his friends.
Fred was a hard worker, loved what he did, and enjoyed talking about his experiences to anyone willing to listen. We will miss Fred.
My deepest condolences to Fred’s family. We love him, and he will be missed. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when he met my mother onthe other side of the vail. It must have been a sweet reunion!