Eric Dennis Nelson Sr.'s Obituary
Eric Dennis Nelson, Sr., of Covington, Louisiana, died on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the age of 80. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 14, 1944, he was the son of the late Francis Wesley Nelson and Carmen Laura Burke. He was also the biological son of Hoye Bell and Louise Upshaw.
Eric was raised with his late sister Rena Nelson. A few years before his passing, he found his biological sister, Sherry Bell Rockhold (Tony), whom he was glad to meet and come to know along with her family by exchanging phone calls and postcards. He also had three sisters and one brother on his biological mother’s side of the family, including Wanda Willis, Gary Willis, and the late Sharrion and Kitty Willis.
Eric’s first marriage was to the late Barbara Joan Heflin. They were blessed with three sons, Eric Dennis “Ricky” Nelson, Jr. (Sheila), David Burke Nelson (Fiancé Connie), and Sean Evan Nelson (Melisa); and grandchildren, Lara N. Maddox (Stacy), Taylor N. Sanders (Matt), Carmen Cottreel (Eric), Macy Anne Nelson, Camellia Grace Nelson, and Cole Evan Nelson.
Eric’s second marriage was to Randi Hort Colvin. They were blessed with two sons, Derek Andrew Nelson (Kristina) and Dirk Christian Nelson; and grandchildren, Andrew “Drew” Nelson, Christian Nelson, and Kelcyee Nelson.
Eric’s “third time’s the charm” marriage was to Joan Anita Heine. They remet 24 years after they were children on Bennet Bridge Road together. They began taking his two youngest boys and her two youngest girls out on adventures before falling in love and getting married a year later on February 22, 1985. They had no children together, but Eric gained six step-children, Hank Steinhauer (Brooke), Melinda Robin Steinhauer, Tim Steinhauer, the late David Allen Steinhauer, Gretchen Steinhauer Verhulst (David), and Emily Amanda Steinhauer Taylor (Justin); and grandchildren, Jason, Ashley, and Kayla Steinhauer, Harley Williams, Scott Steinhauer, Hannah Steinhauer Carriere (Chase), Olivia Rose and Allison Joan Verhulst, and Caleb David and Bradley Taylor.
They have also been blessed with 19 great grandchildren (with the 20th coming in February). They have been lovingly called “Maw and Paw” by the children and “MawMaw and PawPaw” by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Eric and Joan did everything together and when you saw one, you saw the other. He loved to hold her hand and would tell her “I love you” a thousand times a day.
He was thrilled when his stepdaughter Gretchen asked him to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day because he never thought he would have that opportunity due to having only male biological children.
Eric enjoyed hunting in Honey Island Swamp, attending gun shows, target shooting, scouting, camping, swimming, cooking, fieldtrips with the kids, sports, daytrips, watching western shows and war movies, fishing, and reading and studying his Bible. Also, his love for photography, although an inconvenience for his family at times, is now a blessing as they can enjoy the many photos he took throughout his life.
His family and friends will remember his fondness for his belt buckle collection and his replies of “Oh Yeah” and “Oh, Ok” when unsure of how to respond to a grandchild. His grandchildren (and their mothers) will also remember that he gave each of them their first knives.
Eric attended East Jefferson High School and Delgado Community College, studying Industrial Electronics. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Seafariers International Union (Ordinary Seamen).
He worked at I.B.M., Avondale shipyard and at Sears as an appliance technician for 28 years.
Eric belonged to four Masonic Lodges: Metairie #444, Covington #188, A.U. Peterson #455 (Folsom), and Zona #337. He was past Master at A.U. Peterson in 2004 and 2006. He was raised September 24, 1976, at his mother lodge (Metairie) with 48 years of service. He also served as the 14th District Deputy Grand Master for one year with the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Nelson may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.donate.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM land Masonic Rites beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in Willie-Lee Cemetery on Willie Cemetery Road in Folsom.
Pallbearers will be sons, Ricky, David, Sean, Derek, and Dirk Nelson, grandsons, Drew and Christian Nelson, and son-in-law, David Verhulst.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mr. Nelson’s funeral arrangements. His family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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