Larry Lynn Nelson, age 80

Larry Lynn Nelson was born December 13, 1941, in Beaver Creek Township, Hamilton County, Illinois. He passed away peacefully on March 14, 2022, at his home in Moon, Mathews County, Virginia. Larry was 80 years old.

Larry was loved by all who knew him. He had unlimited patience and was a kind and gentle soul. He enjoyed life to the fullest through travel, fishing, boating, and sporting events.

Larry was the eldest son of Millage Lee Nelson and Helen Berniece Wisley. In 1947, his parents purchased a 40-acre farm south of Wayne City, Illinois, where Larry was raised. He was named valedictorian of Wayne City High School at age 16 and went off to college at that young age. He received his bachelor degree from Southern Illinois University in 1962. Larry then attended Purdue University where he earned a master's degree in 1964 followed by a PhD in Agricultural Economics.

From the late 1960's to the late 1980's, Larry ran his own business designing, programming, and selling computerized Management Information and Planning Systems to both small and large companies in the U.S. and Canada. During the 1970's, he was a contributor to the World Book Encyclopedia Year Book. In the late 1980's, Larry sold his business to one of his clients and worked in their Information Systems department where he managed up to 75 programmers and oversaw the implementation of a multimillion-dollar Enterprise Resource Planning system. Prior to retiring in 2008, Larry managed teams of business analysts and trainers and was the link between Information Systems and the Business Units.

On February 27, 1960, he married Betty Jean Freeland in Sims, Wayne County, Illinois. They had four children who Larry said were his greatest accomplishment. Left to deeply grieve his loss are daughters Cheryl (Mondher), Carmen (Andrew), Connie (Mike), and son Craig; grandchildren Matthew, Ryan, Callum, Garrett, Ramzi, Betty, Alexander, Alex, Ruby; great-grandchildren Bella, Charlotte, Wade, Braylee, Bastian; brother Stanley (Marilyn) and sister Karen; nephew Brian and niece Kathyi; cousins Richard and Sheila, and many friends.

A private service and interment will be at Olive Branch Cemetery in Wayne County, Illinois. Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.