Alfred Nelson

Alfred William Nelson, age 72, of Aline, Oklahoma, went peacefully to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 4, 2015. He was born on June 23, 1943 in Folsom, Oklahoma to Joe and Opal (Wolfe) Nelson. He attended grade school at Folsom and then finished his grade school and high school years at Coleman. He started his college years at Murray State in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He graduated with a BS in Science from Southeastern University in Durant, Oklahoma. He obtained his Master's Degree in Biology at NWOSU in Alva, Oklahoma.

He met the love of his life, Jo (Hoyle-Milacek) Nelson, at his first teaching job in Waukomis, Oklahoma. They married on March 29, 1969 in Bison, Oklahoma. They were blessed with two children, Christina and Chris.

Alfred went on to teach for 35 years in Oklahoma at other schools including Helena- Goltry, Okeene, Aline-Cleo and finished in Fairview, where he retired. As sitting idle was never his thing, he taught another seven years in Medicine Lodge, Kansas where he retired a second time. For good measure, he squeezed in one more semester at NWOSU in Alva, Oklahoma.

He touched countless lives in his years of teaching and absolutely never knew a stranger. He had a passion for learning and passing that knowledge on to anyone who stood still long enough to hear him speak. He was nominated three times by former students and was chosen all three times to be in the Who's Who of American Teachers. He also held a title of Oklahoma Science Teacher of the year.

Alfred was a brilliant, funny and compassionate man who deeply loved his family and friends. He loved to travel with his wife, children and grandchildren and took them on many very special vacations. He had been to forty-nine states and twelve foreign countries.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Opal Nelson.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jo Nelson; daughter, Christina Eshleman and husband, Troy and their daughters, Savanna and Kacie; son, Chris Nelson and Tiffani and their daughters, Drew, Gabi and her mother, Heather; a sister, Shirley Longfellow and a brother, Arvil Nelson and wife, Vera and his second mother, Ivon Milacek as well as numerous other special relatives.

Funeral service for Alfred will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015 at First Christian Church in Aline with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery near Dacoma. Pastor Polly Young will officiate and arrangements. Viewing will be Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with family present 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lanman's in Cherokee.

Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation through the funeral home.