Reginald "Reg" Ray Nelson

Reginald Ray Nelson, 75 of Brainerd, passed away unexpectedly in Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Brainerd.  He was born September 18, 1946, in Hutchinson, MN to Herbert and Alta (Sampson) Nelson. 

Reg graduated from Fairfax High School in 1964.  He also attended 1 yr. at St. Cloud State before joining The United States Army.  He spent a year in Viet Nam and returned home in 1966 and on February 18, 1967 he married Sharon (Williams) Nelson.

Reg was extremely proud of his 20 years of military services 1st in the First Cav Div. as a door gunner.  After marriage he went to the Defense Language School in Monterey, CA and Security School in San Angelo, TX and back to Viet Nam.  As a family he was 2yrs. in Japan with tours to Taiwan and Thailand.  He ended his career as an Army Recruiter in St. Paul and Iowa.

Reg maintained contact with many of his military buddies via social media and reunions. 

Reg was passionate about his hobbies that included fishing, model train collecting and layouts, rock polishing, beer and wine making (and tasting) and collecting, collecting, collecting he also enjoyed living on the lake.

Reg is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father -in-law, Russ and Lil Williams; brother Richard and dogs, Dummy, Pu Ying and Chou Chou.

Reg is survived by his wife of 54 year and 10 months, Sharon Nelson, son Christopher, daughter Michele (Kermit) Hanson; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  Siblings, Kent (Barb) Nelson, Rodney Nelson, Deborah (Dan) Carpenter and Randy Nelson; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Bergum and Prisana (Jimmi) Nelson; nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his dogs Maddie and Pu Chia along with BC his cat.

Graveside services for Reg will be held in Spring 2022 at Malmo Cemetery, Malmo Township.  To sign the guestbook online, go to:  www.srtfuneral.com .  Arrangements are with Sorenson-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Aitkin.

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