Leon Nelson

Leon Nelson was born August 17, 1947, to Jewellene Lashley and Freeman Nelson, Sr. in the small town of Arkadelphia, AR. He was the youngest of 4 children. Growing up, Leon was a spontaneous child with many talents. The one talent that stood out was his love for art. Leon was gifted in his craft and was determined to pursue this path as a career.

Leon was a 1965 graduate of Peake High School. After graduation, Leon entered into active service on June 29, 1967, and separated on October 11, 1967, in Ft. Polk Louisiana as an E-1 (Army). That time was short-lived due to an injury in which Leon had to return home.

Leon decided to further his education. He attended Ouachita Baptist University in 1968 and finished his educational endeavors at the Institute of Chicago where he made his dream career in 1992. He designed and made anything from sketches, clothing, and footwear for men.

He was a member of the elk lodge #380 in Hot Springs, AR. He had also begun working on his autobiography, “My Soul is Untouchable” which entails his childhood, life as a military man in the Army, IQ testing that determined him as a genius at the age of 8 years old, to working with space program as a spacecraft designer between 1967-2007.

On June 15, 2020, Leon’s life came to a halt. He is preceded in death by his parents, Freeman Nelson, Sr. and Jewellene Allen; brother, Freeman Nelson, Jr. and his only sister, Aljewell Fort; a niece, Kindall Fort and great nephew, Tyrie Jarrel Fort.

He leaves to cherish his memories: one brother, James Harold Nelson; niece, Shellie Grice (William Crenshaw); two nephews, Eric (Monica) Fort and Anthony Fort; four great-nieces, Shakieda (LaDarius) Crawford, Arneshia Grice, and Archantae (Kyle) Wilson, and Jewellen Fort ; two great-nephews, Kylen Jarrel McKinney, and Emaure Fort ; great great-niece, Skai Marie Wilson; a great great-nephew, Zachariah Josephlee Wilson, and a host of relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at 12 noon at Piney Grove Cemetery in Arkadelphia, AR. Military Honors will be given.

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