Nelson, Gregory George (aka Greg, Bart, or Rock n Roll!) was born on September 24, 1954 and passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 23, 2024 at the age of 69, after a hard fought battle following a surgery gone wrong.
Our dad had his share of challenges in life – both personally and medically. Our family would joke that he had 9 lives. His cancer history was long and grueling, starting back in 1997, but he always faced his treatments head on and with a good attitude. He made friends everywhere he went, including at each doctor’s office or hospital facility throughout the years. In his last days, his family practice doctor came to see him at the hospital and said “I’m not supposed to say this, but you were my favorite patient.” His friend making didn’t stop at medical facilities, he frequently met new people at the gas station or just around town, always interested in the people around him.
Our dad loved to talk and tell stories. His hitchhiking stories were probably the best ones. He was also the ultimate joke teller back in the day – and his jokes would usually begin with “and this is a true story.” Many people will remember his favorite punchline on windy days for the rest of time.
Dad loved to cook and bake, and was very much a food critic. He especially loved making no-bake cookies and lemon meringue pie on special occasions, and he always looked forward to Sunday dinner at his mom’s house.
Dad could often be found snoozing in front of the TV with a book in his lap and PBS on the screen, a box of Good & Plenty sitting near him, which he liked to munch on all day, and his beloved cat Bitsy nearby. In the last few years of his life, our dad devoted himself to the Grayling Community Garden. More than that, he revived and revitalized it. Each year saw growth in the number of individual plots planted and tended, and overall community engagement. Our dad was perhaps most proud that the garden was able to produce and donate thousands of pounds of nutritious vegetables each year that made their way into the hands (and stomachs) of those in need within the community that he loved.
Many people have memories of our dad singing karaoke years ago – his go-to song was “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra. It is ironic that his nickname was Rock n Roll, since his favorite music was slow and twangy! In his last days, we played music for our dad, and he sang along while half in this world and half out of it.
He sure will be missed.
Survived by his mother: Jeannette Kitchen
His children: Jeremy (Martha) Nelson, Ryan Nelson (Chelsea VanNuck), Ashley (Jake) Gibaud, and Travis Nelson
His siblings: Mark (Cheryl) Nelson, Michael (Alice) Nelson, Becky (Jeff) Bond, and Kirt Kitchen (Rochelle Campeau)
His grandchildren: Ryan Jr., McKenzie, Cherise, Max, Hadley, Graham, Daphne, & Nola
Greg also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and an abundance of friends.
Preceded in death by his father, Richard Nelson, and his sister Ricky Kelly.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 1:00 PM until the time of funeral service at 3:00 PM all taking place at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home in Grayling, MI. Interment will take place in the spring at Elmwood Cemetery in Grayling, MI
Please join us in honoring our dad by wearing floral print to his service – he would have absolutely loved it.
Obituary lovingly written by his children.
If you would like to make a donation in Greg’s name, please send it to:
Checks payable to: Grayling Community Garden. Mail to: Crawford County Commission on Aging and Senior Center, 308 Lawndale St, Grayling, MI 49738
Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.
