July 19, 1935 ~ February 27, 2024 (age 88)
G.T. Nelson (Gayle Thomas Nelson) passed away February 27, 2024. He was born July 19, 1935 in Borger, Texas to Gage and Audy Lea Nelson. Gayle’s family moved to Comanche and he graduated from Comanche High School in 1953. Working at Higginbotham’s in Comanche in high school, he moved into Heavy trucks at International Harvester, starting in the parts department, then selling trucks for over 50 years for International Harvester and Ford.
Gayle married Billie Ruth Martin December 5, 1957 in Fort Worth, Texas. They raised three children; Greg, Cathy and Joe in Longview and Fort Worth. He came from a musical family. He was an accomplished upright bass fiddle player. Gayle played with a country music band in the 1950’s and continued entertaining folks for the next 65 years with fellow musicians and friends, Jimmy Walker and Hardie Moore.
Gayle loved baseball and coaching his boys in baseball. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting with is kids and grandkids. GT was an excellent cook and his ribs, dressing, and fried chicken couldn’t be beat! He also enjoyed antique tractors, and restoring tractors and old engines. He once restored a fifties Power Track that pulled a sully for all the grandkids to ride in and a 1950 John Deere MT tractor.
In his later years, he taught himself wood turning on a wood lathe. Gayle made some beautiful pieces for family and friends. He enjoyed breakfast with his What-a-Burger buddies as often as he could make it. Gayle received his 65 year Masonic Service pin in 2023.
Gayle is survived by his wife Billie of 66 years, his children Greg Nelson (Sandra) of Houston, Cathy Longley (Chris) of Santo, and Joe Nelson (Laura) of Stephenville. He leaves a brother Mark Nelson of Stephenville, Don Nelson of Jacksboro, and many cousins. He is survived by Grandchildren; Michelle Atwood (Kelly), Jennifer Martinez (Mateo), Johnny Loftis, Natalie Reed, Kristin Galindo(John), Gage Nelson (Christina), Cayla Limas (Abel), Clint Longley (Meagan). He is also survived by 21 Great grand-children, numerous nieces, nephews and so many friends that meant the world to him including a lifelong friend, Robert Williams of Comanche. He was preceded in death by his closest ally, brother Dan Nelson. He is also preceded in death by his mother and father Audy Lea and Gage Nelson, and brother Joe Nelson.
Services will be Saturday March 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Stephenville Funeral Home in Stephenville, Texas. Officiating will be Mike Redd.
Visitation will be the morning of the memorial from 9am to 10am
Be the first to comment