Obituary: Mark Thomas Nelson

Mark Thomas Nelson, age 66, of Thomasville, formerly of Winter Garden, passed away March 13, 2022, at Archbold Memorial Hospital of Thomasville. He was born in Miami Dec. 11, 1955, a son to the late Brasher Parker and Catherine Land Nelson.

Mark was a 1973 graduate of Apopka High School and 1977 graduate of Presbyterian College of Clinton, South Carolina, where he played football all four years. Mark served as Captain in the U.S. Army.

He married Elizabeth "Beth" McKinnon Aug. 8, 1981, in Oakland, Florida. Mark owned and operated O.F. Nelson and Son's Nursery Inc., now O.F. Nelson's and Family Nursery, well known for wholesale roses grown on Fortuniana Root Stock. 

He was also a member of Oakland Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder and youth leader. Mark enjoyed hunting, fishing, music and loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Nelson; children, Sean McKinnon Nelson (Cassie) of Anchorage, Alaska, Annee Catherine Nelson-Dorr (Brad) of Winter Garden, Florida, Clay McArthur Nelson (Marion) of Winter Garden, Florida, Elly Marie Nelson of Jacksonville, Florida, Kit Rose Nelson of Canton, Georgia; grandchildren, Finnley Storm Nelson, Elias McKinnon Nelson, Ryder Skye Nelson, Oliver Thomas Nelson-Dorr and Everett James Nelson; brother, Stephen Nelson (Brian) of Apopka, Florida; sister, Kimberly Nelson of Longwood, Florida; brother-in-law, Maurice Boyd (Gretchen) of Winter Garden, Florida; and sister-in-law, Jean Hiatt (Cliff) of Traveler's Rest, South Carolina.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, 1850 Lee Road, Suite 132, Winter Park, FL 32789 or jdrf.org. Friends and family are invited to visit his online tribute page at allenfh.com.