Ronald "Rocky" J. Nelson

Ronald “Rocky” J. Nelson

On Saturday, July 25, 2020, Ronald “Rocky” J. Nelson, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 79. Rocky was born on August 6, 1940, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Dorothy and Floyd Nelson. He served as an Officer in the US Air Force for 20 years. On June 17, 1960, he married Joyce Mahaffy. They raised three children, Christopher Nelson, Veronica Chuckran and Susan Messick.

Rocky had a passion for flying in the Air Force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful aviation, navigation, and landing of a C-7 Caribou that had been damaged by enemy fire in Vietnam. He also liked to paint, and many family members have Rocky’s watercolors hanging in their homes.
He was a talented woodworker, golfer, and fisherman.

Rocky was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy, his father Floyd, and his brother Foster “Jay” Baker. His is survived by his wife Joyce; his three children, Christopher Nelson, Veronica Chuckran and Susan Messick (Charles); and his six grandchildren, Catelyn Bernstein (Aaron), Meghan Nelson, 1st LT Darby Chaney, Jessica Chuckran, Zachary Chuckran, and David Chuckran; his sister
Cathy Sneary, and his brother David Baker.

Due to the current pandemic, there will be no service for Rocky at this time. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life ceremony for Rocky when it is safe to do so.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for you to make a donation in remembrance of Rocky to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org).

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com