Date of death: 5/19/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: SPH 1958
Tom, as he was often called, was born December 18, 1939 in Louisville, the son of the late John T. Nelson Jr. and late Catherine V. Nelson. He was a retired business man for the J.T. Nelson Co., Inc., last serving as president and CEO. The company revolutionized Home Improvement when his father invented the “Triple Tilt” Storm Window. Years later, per U.S. Government specifications, Tom, along with his father and brother Steve, developed the bullet proof window to be used on all locomotives, passenger cars and cabooses in the railroad industry. A Catholic by faith, Tom attended Saint Meinrad Seminary, graduated from Trinity High School Class of 1958 and finished his studies at Bellarmine College. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus, The Serra Club of Louisville and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Tom always gave generously of his time and talents. He served and was elected president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Louisville. In that role, many people in this community received much needed aid for housing, utilities, clothing and food. Tom became an avid McDonalds Memorabilia Collector in his retirement. He enjoyed working on his collection with the television tuned in to Fox News and The O’Reilly Factor. fishing, gardening and sitting poolside with family and friends allowed him to relax. Tom loved to travel. He reached his goal in visiting all 50 states in the Union, his favorite of all was Hawaii. He journeyed to many foreign countries from North and Central America to Europe. A true adventurer! He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Mark Nelson. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 53 years, Terry Milner Nelson; three daughters, Mary Thompson (Paul), Charlotte Laslie and Nancy Davis (Jeff); a son, John T. Nelson IV (Trish); eight grandchildren, Mark Thompson, Helen Winstead (Eric) and Christopher Thompson, James C. Laslie, Sabrina and Cricket Davis and Miranda and Samantha Nelson; two stepgrandchildren, Jessica and Tiffany Bivens; a great-grandson, Corbin Thompson; and seven siblings, Donna O’Connor Durning, Mary Catherine Bride (Joe), James Joseph Nelson (Assiria), Cheri Misner (James), Steve Nelson, Janet Gish (Gary) and Greg Nelson (Lee). His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012 with burial in Louisville Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Ratterman’s, 3711 Lexington Road. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be sent to St. Vincent DePaul Society of Louisville, 1015-C S. Preston St., Louisville, KY 40203 or Brown Cancer Center, 529 Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40205.