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Martin Nelson Obituary

July 11, 1963 - June 14, 2008. Lt. Col. Martin H. Nelson USAF (Ret), beloved husband of Tina Nelson, passed away on June 14, 2008 from complications of cancer. Marty was born in St. Louis Missouri on July 11, 1963 and was the 6th of 8 children to Ray and Marilyn Nelson. His family settled in Rockford, IL where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1981 and enlisted in the Air Force. Marty was assigned to Hill AFB, UT and worked hard to receive an appointment to the US Air Force Academy where he graduated in 1987. After being commissioned as a 2nd Lt, he attended undergraduate pilot training at Reese, AFB, TX. While there, he married the love of his life, Tina. With her, they began his life long dream of being an USAF officer-pilot. During his career, he would fly five different aircraft and be stationed across the country. He retired as a Lt. Col. at the US Air Force Academy with his wife and four daughters: Kayla, Hannah, Emma, and Mia. After retirement Marty followed another life long dream buying a business in Winter Park, CO. In addition to Marty's many professional accomplishments, he was a mentor and witness to many, including sponsoring numerous cadets. He exhibited a standard of faith and morality to anyone who knew him. We will miss Marty's humor, dedication to family and friends, devotion to his wife, and his love for Jesus. Viewing will be at Cappadona's Funeral Service at 1020 E. Filmore on June 19 from 5 – 7 pm. A memorial service will be held a Woodman Valley Chapel on June 20 starting at 9:30 am and burial ceremony held after at the USAF Academy cemetery. Reception at Woodman Valley Chapel following the burial.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Jun. 18, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Martin Nelson

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Joe Kim

July 7, 2008

Tina and family,
I was so sad to hear of Marty's passing. My sincerest condolences on your loss. Marty was a truly great friend, person and officer. Our prayers are with you.

Nancy Johnson

July 5, 2008

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Jeff and Liz Spraggins

June 25, 2008

Tina,
Every once in a while we lose one of the good guys, its not often we lose a great one like Marty. Liz and I value the short time we had together with you-all in Enid. I wish you and the girls the best.

Don Smith

June 22, 2008

I was so sorry to hear of Marty's passing. I grew to like Marty a great deal in the short time I knew him. He was kind, wonderful person and I know he loved his family very much. I am honored to have had Marty a part of my life. I offer my sincere condolences to Tina and his children and wish them the very best in this difficult time. Marty will be missed by all of us.

Don Smith

Mary Ann Carpenter

June 21, 2008

Tina,Kayla,Hannah,Emma and Mia,
May God bless you and keep you in his loving arms throught these hard times. Marty will be greatly missed,but we know he is in his Heavleny Fathers arms now.

Love,
Gerald & Mary Ann Carpenter
San Antonio, Tx.

Annemarie and Dane Egli

June 20, 2008

Dear Tina and girls,
Our family has been praying for you through this toughest of times. There is no way to understand this difficult path God has given you all to walk. Yet we know He has plan for your lives "to give you a future and a hope." It must be so very hard to see that right now- I'm not sure I could be as brave as you all have been through all you have walked through. But I know its times like these when our faith is tested and we learn that HE IS faithful. "He will never, no never, not ever, leave us or forsake us!"
Kayla, with your amazingly beautiful voice, you may have heard a Christian song that just says: "When you can't see His hand.... trust His heart" His heart loves you all so much. You will not be walking these next months alone. He'll be there.And our family wants to be available for anything you need, Tina.... Kayla has our number. Anything at all... O.K. !Blessings
Dane and Annemarie, for Constance and our C.J's

Michael & Kimber Tague

June 19, 2008

Tina,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. May the Lord comfort you all. Please call if you need anything.

joe&penny guth

June 19, 2008

nelson.family,
our prayers are with you .you were very blessed to have a husband like marty.he was a great young man and
a great friend to our son john guth,
and we will miss him.
joe and penny
guth

BRENDA SVESKA

June 19, 2008

Tina,
We are lifting you all up in prayer at this most difficult time. Keep trusting and believing that God is enough. Sending our thoughts and love.....Brenda and Brooke Sveska

Mickey & Vanette Martin

June 19, 2008

Dear Tina, We have been on this journey with you thru the Care Pages and know the girls, Kayla, Hannah, Emma & Mia, will give you the strength to carry on. We were so glad we were able to meet Marty. He leaves a lasting immpression on every one. He is in Gods hands now and watching over you all. God bless you all.
Love and Prayers.

Andy Garrobo

June 19, 2008

Marty was one of those great guys. You will never forget his smile. We had a great time catching up at our 20 year reunion. My condolences to all of you.

John Nelson

June 19, 2008

You will be missed by our whole family. God bless you and keep you Tina, Kayla, Emma, Hannah, & Mia.
Marty will be met with open arms by his Father, Ray and Brother, Mike.

John & Juanita Nelson

June 19, 2008

We will miss our Dearest cousin Marty. We have many fun and wonderful memories that we would love to share with you Tina and the girls when ever you come to visit grandma and family here in Rockford.
We pray for strength for you all and peace. Our hearts are heavy at this time and share in your sorrow. Sending you all our love, hugs, and prayers.

Vicki Kozlowski

June 18, 2008

My sympathy and prayers are with you.

David and Lori Stamos

June 18, 2008

Our hearts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. Marty was a great friend. I will always remember our time in pilot training together and our paths crossing through tankers and T-1s. I feel so fortunate to have seen him at the 20 year reunion. We will continue to keep all of you in our prayers.

Christina Rodgers

June 18, 2008

Our heart breaks for the loss of a great man, great father and a loving husband. We are thankful Marty is no longer suffering but will miss his laugh, humor and smile. Fly with the angels as you always wanted, we love you.
Mitch, Pam, Samantha & Ashley Nelson and Christina, Matt, Samantha, Logan, Lily and Noah Rodgers

Sandy, Christina, and Danny Cruz

June 18, 2008

To Tina, Kayla, Hannah, Emma, and Mia,
Our love and prayers are with you. Marty was a wonderful friend and a true man of God. We are honored to have known him.

RHONDA NELSON AND FAMILY

June 18, 2008

OUR HEARTS GOES OUT TO YOU AND WE PRAY FOR YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME

The Sandlins

June 18, 2008

Dear Nelsons,
We love you all and will be praying for you. We are going to miss him. He was a great friend and Christian brother. Psalm 61:1-5
The Sandlins

JoAnn Rodriguez

June 18, 2008

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Holly Tedeschi

June 18, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

John Coulahan '87 USAFA

June 18, 2008

Marty will be missed. Our sincere condolences to all of you.

Madeline McGuire

June 18, 2008

Our hearts go out to the family of Marty Nelson. Please accept our condolences for your loss.


The staff of USAFA Media Relations

Michael Kazlausky

June 18, 2008

My heart goes out to you and your family.

Brigette Thomas

June 18, 2008

Tina & Emma-we are so sorry to hear of Marty's passing. We know that he is in Gods hands now and is pain free. We will continue to lift all of you up in our prayers and if there is anything we can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.
With all our love and prayers,
Brigette and McKenzie Thomas

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