Maurice “Chuck” Nelson passed away on April 30, 2018, peacefully at home with family in Snowflake. The visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018, at Silver Creek Mortuary in Taylor. The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, at Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor. A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held after the service at Our Lady of the Snow Community Center. He was born to his parents, Maurice Nelson and Marsha Ashe on Aug. 24, 1938. Chuck grew up in Cherryfield, Maine, and enlisted with the Navy in 1956, at the age of 16. He served one tour and then joined the Army where he served active duty in both Vietnam and South Korea. He retired from service in 1971 as Sergeant First Class. He was very proud of serving his country with honor and also of being a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. Chuck came to Arizona and eventually found the spot where he would build his home. Chuck poured his heart into building his beautiful cabin. He was happiest there or on his Harley and loved it best when he had friends and family by his side. Building and operating heavy equipment were two things Chuck enjoyed and stayed active with well into his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; son, Buddy; grandchildren, Brooke and Josh; stepsons, Ronnie and Ryan; step daughters, Jill and Christie; and several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Rhonda Jeanne Lord, Penny Nelson and Regina Nelson. Silver Creek Mortuary of Taylor handled the arrangements.
