Edgar Earl Nelson

Edgar Earl Nelson, born February 3, 1933, passed away November 18, 2024, at the age of 91, at home with his family in Mountain Home, Idaho.

Edgar Earl (Ed) Nelson was born to Elmer Edward (Eddie) Nelson and Mary Rose (Shaw) Nelson in Huston, Idaho on February 3, 1933, the eighth of ten children. He was raised on a family ranch in Ridgeview, Oregon (between Homedale, Idaho and Adrian, Oregon) as well as a homestead on Boulder Creek near McCall, Idaho. He attended school in Adrian where he excelled in football and other sports. He was named to Oregon’s first annual East-West Shriner’s All-Star Football game in 1952. After graduation, Ed married his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Hand – a love affair that lasted over seventy-one years. Ed entered the U S Airforce and served during the Korean war. He earned his air frame and powerplant certifications working on military aircraft, specializing in servicing B47 bombers. He served at air force bases in California, Texas, Arizona, and England. He ended his service at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

After leaving the service, Ed and Mary began their adventure in civilian life. They lived in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Neveda and Alaska. Ed was a great mechanic and owned a number of shops and service stations. He also pursued farming and other entrepreneurial business ventures. He ended his working life back in Mountain Home, where he supported local farming.

Ed was a storyteller and enjoyed recounting events and memories from his life. He could craft his stories to entertain as well as express his views.

Ed was a sports enthusiast, he enjoyed watching football, baseball, basketball and golf both on television and at live events. Ed became an ardent BSU football fan. He coached youth baseball for a time in Caldwell Idaho. Ed was an avid golfer who counted a hole in one as one of his accomplishments. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and time outdoors.

Ed was a dedicated family man who worked hard to support his family. His children could always count on him to support them in whatever life brought. We will miss him.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Connie Nelson-Cleverley (Jeff Cleverley), sons Dennis (Rochelle), Donald (Susie), and Eric (Carmen), seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his son Steven Nelson.

Services will take place at a future time. For anyone who would like to remember him with a memorial, Ed’s family suggests contributions in Ed’s memory to the Steven Nelson Memorial Fund at Boise State University. https://give.boisestate.edu/campaign_search?search=steven+nelson