Terrance Nelson

Terrance Eugene Nelson, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away December 12. He was born on December 5, 1940, to Eugene and Hazel Nelson in Racine, Wisconsin.

He married Linda Jean Nelson on October 22, 1960, a marriage that lasted 61 adventuresome years.

He was an employee with Farmland Industries after moving to the Kansas City area from Racine and ultimately took a position with TWA until his retirement in 2002. While gainfully employed he simultaneously raised his son and two daughters and travelled the world with his wife and family.

A die-hard Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, he was equally a supporter of University of Missouri and Kansas City sports teams. His pain and suffering associated with those allegiances is unimaginable. As a youth he was an accomplished basketball player, enhanced by his 6’4” frame, committed work-ethic and God-given talents on the hardwood. As an adult, he was an active tennis player and youth basketball coach. He boasted – and proved – a razor-sharp mind for most card games and had a knack for magic. He was an accomplished competitor by nature and upbringing.

His love of popular contemporary music composed a life’s soundtrack for a man who was also kind, gentle and curious, even while battling terminal health challenges.

He and Linda made a remarkable couple. He was a polished photographer, she was incredibly photogenic; he loved to eat, and she was a great cook; he had a far-reaching sense of humor, and she was relatively comfortable being the brunt of his good-natured ribbings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his sister, Cynthia. Terry is survived by his other siblings, Dick (Marie) Nelson of Kansas City, MO and Todd (Barbara) Nelson of Racine, WI. He leaves behind his three loving children, Kelly (Bob) Martin and Stephanie (Kirk) Ward of Liberty, MO and Doug (Joanne) Nelson of Columbia, MO.  He was emotionally, financially, and intellectually intertwined with his nine grandchildren, whom he adored: Trey (Afton) Nelson, Alex (Kelsey) Martin, Paige Nelson, Kyle Martin, Sean Fender, Cole Nelson, Jack Martin, Josh Fender and Luke Ward, all who survive him.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at iWerx, 1520 Clay St, North Kansas City, MO 64116, on Saturday, February 25, 2023, with visitation beginning at 3:00pm, followed by the memorial service at 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made in Terry’s name to the COPD Foundation, donations@copdfoundation.org.