John Vernon Nelson, Sr., "Jack", 81, of Mechanicsville, MD, passed away on December 4, 2024, in Callaway, MD. Born on July 8, 1943, at the family home in Clements, MD, he was the son of the late Francis Parran Nelson, Sr. and Agnes Kathleen (Ryan) Nelson. John was preceded in death by his wife, Anita Nelson, whom he married on September 20, 2019, in Leonardtown, MD. He is survived by his children, John Nelson, Jr. (Jeri) of Leonardtown, MD, Steven Nelson of Chaptico, MD, and Stacey Payne (Jason) of Clements, MD, his siblings, Shirley Vallandingham (Francis), Francis "Rod" Nelson, Clyde "Corky" Nelson (Gayle), Sandra Caywood (George), James "Buck" Nelson (Lorraine), and Donald "Donnie" Nelson (Sandy), grandchildren, Randall Nelson, Jackie Nelson, Tyler Nelson, Lauren Nelson, Kensley Nelson, Kai Nelson, Waylon Payne, Courtney Hauk, Aaron Mills, six great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Ryce (Tommy) and his brothers, Pete Nelson, Michael "Mickey" Nelson (Liz), and Terry Lee Nelson (Barbara).

Jack owned his own business, Jack's Auto Body, in Clements, MD. He loved attending tractor pulls with his "Oliver" tractor that he got from the family farm. Jack also enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, and going to Bingo.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley- Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Deacon Ammon Ripple officiating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Bushwood, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Tyler Nelson, Aaron Mills, Kevin Nelson, Parran Nelson, James "Jimmy Crow" Nelson, James Nelson, Randall Nelson, and James "Noodles" Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Vallandingham and Leonard Nelson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.