David A. Nelson, Jr.

David A. Nelson, Jr., 74, of Topeka passed away on January 9, 2024 at a Topeka hospital.  He was born July 9, 1949 in Topeka the son of David A. Nelson, Sr.  and Lucile A. Hummer Nelson.

Mr. Nelson grew up in North Topeka.  He attended Curtis Junior High where he was an excellent student and was a champion gymnast.  He would attend Topeka High School and graduated in 1967.  David attended the University of Kansas for a year.  He joined the United States Marine Corps.  He served his county in Vietnam and was awarded a medal for expert marksmanship while serving.  He lived in Florida for few years and attended Florida Bible College in Hollywood, Florida.  He learned how to scuba dive while living there.  He returned home started his career and family.  David was a heavy equipment mechanic for the Kansas Department of Transportation.   He also helped neighbors work on cars and trucks, or farmers who asked him to help fix a tractor or farm implement.   David returned to college and attended Washburn, receiving a degree in Computer Science.  David was an excellent student both as a youngster growing up and during his higher education years.

He enjoyed music, he was a self-taught piano player, guitarist when younger and loved to sing.  He enjoyed astronomy, photography and botany, he would often photograph plants and flowers.  He was a motorcycle enthusiast, Harley Davidson’s were a favorite.  David was a member of Fellowship Bible Church.

He is survived by his two sons, Jeffrey Brian Nelson and wife Maggie of Maple Hill, Kansas, Jonathan David Nelson and wife Lady Diane Warshalosky Del Castillo of Manhattan; siblings, Linda Nelson of Maple Hill, Vernon Nelson and wife Toni of Topeka and Francis Nelson and wife Sharon of Topeka; grandchildren, Edmund, Felicity, Eugene, Peter, Daniel; and step grandchildren, Santiago and Sebastian.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Davidson Funeral Home.   Military Honors and graveside service will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.   He will lie in state from 12-5 pm on Tuesday, January 16th at the funeral home.   Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans Administration Music Therapy Program, 2200 SW Gage, Topeka, Kansas 66622 Please leave a message for the family at www.davidsonfuneral.com To view Mr. Nelson's funeral service live, please click here