Springfield, MO - Charles Donald Nelson, 86, Springfield, MO passed away at 11:45 PM, Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Cox South Hospital surrounded by his loving family.  Don was born in Latimer County, OK on April 18,1932  to Emmett and Jennie Maude (Davis) Nelson. Jennie Maude passed away in 1939, and Rosa May Nelson (step-mother) raised Don.  He was one of four children.  His sisters Barbara and Helen, and brother Ray, all preceded him in death.

Don worked hard his entire life.  He believed strongly in being a good citizen, doing what was right, and serving others.  Don worked as a soda jerk, a paper boy, an iceman and managed a Dairy Queen by the age of 16.  He grew up in McAlester, OK area, and graduated from McAlester High School in 1952.  Don also joined the Naval Reserves in 1949, doing his part to serve his country.  He was Honorably Discharged in 1953.

In 1951, he started his retail career at Montgomery Ward, in McAlester, OK as a shoe salesman.  He worked his way up at Montgomery Ward, holding various positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately being promoted to Assistant Manager in Marysville, KS.   This is where he met and married Shirley June Fakler.  They were married on August 27, 1954.  As the story goes, he hired her, fired her and married her!

In 1955, at the age of 22, Don decided to change companies, going to work for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Topeka, KS.  Don and Shirley welcomed Cary into the world in 1956 while living in Topeka.  Don continued to move up in his role with Sears, making several moves.  In June 1966, they were transferred to San Antonio, TX.  In 1968, while living in San Antonio, they adopted their daughter, Christine.  Don took several promotions and relocations over the next few years, working his way up to Store Manager in Temple, TX.  The family ultimately ended up in Springfield, MO, where Don opened the Battlefield Mall Sears store in 1982. He managed this store until his retirement in 1993, with 38 years of service with Sears, Roebuck and Co. Don enjoyed attending Sears retiree luncheons and treasured the relationships he made while working at Sears.  He was a member of Brentwood Christian Church.

Don was a wonderful husband and father.  His greatest joy was his family, and his family treasured him so very much,    He worked hard to provide for them and their future security.  Don enjoyed working the stock market, and this became his "second career".  His greatest passion was insuring his family was always safe, and that he taught them everything he knew so they could be successful in the future.   He loved keeping all family vehicles in tip top condition, wanting to ensure no one in his family would ever be stranded!

Don is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Shirley (Fakler) Nelson; son Cary Nelson, Columbia, MO, Daughter Christine Nelson-Jordan and Son-In-Law Robert Jordan, Broken Arrow, OK, Brother and Sister-In-Laws Roy and Karen Fakler, Beatrice NE, Lyle and Donna Fakler, Winnetka, CA, Joe and Ruth Fakler, Concordia, KS, Joanna Nelson, Memphis, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Don loved his dogs, especially Porsha and Bella.  He will be greatly missed by all.

A celebration of Don's life will be held at 3pm, on Saturday, January 26, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, MO with the Reverend Emily Bowen-Marler officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 2pm-3pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Woodhaven Learning Center,  1405 Hathman Place, Columbia, MO 65201 or Brentwood Christian Church 1900 E Barataria Street, Springfield, MO 65804.