Obituary

Fredrik eric nelson, sr. 87, of charleston, died easter sunday, april 16, 2017. Born january 13, 1930, in charleston, wv, eric was the youngest of four children of oscar nelson, sr. And harriet isabelle engstrom nelson.

Eric was a lifelong resident of charleston, wv. He was a graduate of greenbrier military school in lewisburg, wv and later earned a bachelor of science degree in economics from the wharton school of finance at the university of pennsylvania. He attended washington & lee university law school prior to being drafted into the army, where he graduated from leadership and armed forces information school serving the 5^th infantry division during the korean war. He later graduated from the reppert school of auctioneering, decatur, in and was active in various charity auctions, including many ffa events, from the late 1960s through 1980s.

Eric’s business and professional career expanded a number of industries. He began his career working for the american hereford journal in kansas city, mo and then moved to a supervisory position in advertising and public relations with the atlantic greyhound corporation in charleston, wv. He later was a leading salesman for united carbon company, a charleston, w v based company headed by his father oscar nelson, sr., a swedish immigrant. United carbon was a producer of natural gas and oil and a leading producer of carbon black, a primary ingredient used in the rubber industry, until the company was sold to ashland oil. In 1959, eric and his brother, tom, co-founded nelson & company, one of the first private investment counseling companies in w v. Eric also formed various diversified investment companies concentrating in the real estate, natural gas, and oil sectors.

Eric’s community and organization activities included: member of the west virginia house of delegates from 1967-1971; past president of the charleston wv lions club; past president of the navy league of wv; past potentate of the beni kedem shrine temple, charleston, wv; former member of berry hills and edgewood country clubs, where he enjoyed working wonders with his “ping” putter; member of kanawha lodge no. 20; member of the kanawha commander no 4 knights templar; a 32^nd degree member of the scottish rite of freemason; past director of the royal order of jesters charleston court no. 111, and founding director of the former south hills bank, charleston, wv until it was acquired by wesbanco inc, wheeling, wv, where he served as director and member of the executive committee.

One of the nelson family’s great loves and interest was morlunda farms located in lewisburg, wv. The farm was founded by his late father, and named after the town where he was born in sweden. Morlunda farms grew into a nationally renowned purebred polled hereford operation, showing cattle from coast to coast, with many awards and recognitions. Eric and his late brothers and sister continued the traditions well after their father had passed.

Eric is a former member of st. Paul’s lutheran church and most recently st. Timothy’s lutheran church, both in charleston, wv. Eric so loved life and dearly missed his loving wife of 46 years, ann, who preceded him in death in 2005. Eric loved to travel and enjoyed the frequent family cruise trips since ann’s passing. Many fond memories were enjoyed by all. Eric has been a resident of edgewood summit since 2007.Our family truly wishes to thank the many friends he made and especially the ever caring staff. We were most fortunate for the helping oversight provided by teresa walker and whitney brester.

In addition to his parents and wife, ann cabell patrick nelson, eric was preceded in death by his siblings anna marie nelson jones of charleston, oscar nelson, jr. Of lewisburg, and thomas a. Nelson of charleston and naples, fl.

He is survived by his children, eric, jr. (pam), of charleston, wv and their children heather, tripp and sydney; mary elizabeth barnes (robert), of richmond, va and their children bo and anna marie; and william (megan) of new orleans, la and their children callie and connor.

A memorial celebration of his life will be held at st. Timothy lutheran church with the pastor jerome klotz and pastor richard mahan co-officiating at 2:00 p.M.  saturday, april 22, 2017. A private burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the transportation fund c/o beni kedem shrine center, 100 quarrier st, charleston, wv 25301; or the charity of your choice.

You may send condolences to the family at: www.Barlowbonsall.Com

barlow bonsall funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.