Dean Arlo Nelson

Dean Arlo Nelson

April 27, 1935 – June 25, 2021

Dean Arlo Nelson, 86, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away on Friday, June 25th, 2021.

He was born in Dale, Wisconsin on April 27th, 1935. He is the oldest child of the late Nyal and Camilla (Verdon) Nelson. When Dean was a teenager, his family moved to Barstow, California.

Dean started his career with Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the Goldstone Tracking Station in Barstow. After marrying his high-school sweetheart, Rita Ward, he moved his young family to La Crescenta, California. While there, he continued his career as a Deep Space Electromechanical Engineer at JPL in Pasadena, for 35 years until his retirement. He loved his job and the many lifelong friends he made of the years. After his retirement, Dean moved to Texas to be closer to his family.

Dean is preceded in death by his wife, Rita (Ward) Nelson, his parents, and his sister Judith (Nelson) Ryken.

He is survived by his children, Dean M. Nelson of Pinetop, Arizona, Linda (Frank) Saputo of The Woodlands, Texas, and Catherine Maly of The Woodlands, Texas; grandchildren, Anthony (Kelsey) Saputo, Christopher Saputo, Cole (Cynthany) Nelson, Mark Maly, Bonnie (Ethan) Ramsey, Jessica (Ted) Hughes, Kimmie (Colin) Brander and Taylor Maly; great grandchildren, Daxton and Everly Nelson, Scout and Sage Ramsey, and Audrey Saputo; sister, Marcia (Aldon) Pierce, and many nieces and nephews.

Dean loved spending time with his family, photography, traveling, ice hockey, and would spend many hours a day restoring family pictures on his computer. His great sense of humor, quick wit, easy smile, kind and generous ways will be truly missed by everyone!