Randy Nelson

Randall Keith Nelson, 61, of Richmond, Kansas, formerly of Iola, Kansas, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at his home. Randy was born January 3, 1948, at Iola, Kansas, the son of Carl A. and Wanda M. (Alumbaugh) Nelson. He grew up in Iola and attended Iola High School. On September 16, 1967, Randy married Virginia L. "Ginny" Potter at the First Baptist Church in Iola, Kansas. He served three years in the U.S. Army. He was a helicopter crew chief and helicopter mechanic in Vietnam and later in Columbus, Georgia before he was honorably discharged from the service. The Nelsons moved from Georgia to Lamar, MO, LaHarpe, KS, Lyndon, KS and settled in Louisburg, KS, for 15 years. They later moved to Paola, KS, before moving to their country home at Richmond four years ago. Randy has worked for his uncle, Howard Nelson, at Nelson Quarries, Reno Construction, and J.A. Tobin Construction before operating his own heavy equipment repair business, R.K. Nelson Field Service, Inc. His business has worked exclusively with Nelson Quarries the past nine years. He was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Osawatomie, KS. Randy enjoyed being outdoors feeding the birds, geese, fish and deer. He loved working with trees and caring for the land. He landscaped and built all the roads and ponds at their home to create a park-like setting. He especially loved playing with his grandson and riding motorcycles. SURVIVORS: Wife: Virginia "Ginny" Nelson of the home 2 Sons: Steven Ray Nelson & wife, Amy of Olathe, KS; and Michael Aaron Nelson & special family friend, Lindy Glendening of Paola, KS His Grandson: Ryan Nelson His Mother: Wanda Nelson of Lamar, MO His Mother-in-Law: Elsie Johnson of Iola, KS 5 Brothers: Jerry Nelson of Lamar, MO; Bob Nelson of Joplin, MO; Bruce Nelson of Quapaw, OK; Paul "Dusty" Nelson of Jasper, MO; and Jim Nelson of Baxter Springs, KS 2 Sisters: Carol Harman of Ocala, FL; and Mary Nelson of Lamar, MO He was preceded in death by his father, father-in-law, Richard E. Johnson, and by an infant sister. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2009, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the First Christian Church in Iola. Pastor Larry Osborne will officiate. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, Iola, KS, with military honors. MEMORIAL: Franklin County Cancer Foundation Memorial gifts may be left at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com .