Richard Leland Nelson

Richard Leland Nelson, 82, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

The past two years, Leland enjoyed the many friendships he made at the Villas of Jackson, and his family is grateful for the attentive care he received there.

Leland was born June 23, 1941, in Cape Girardeau to Joseph Howard and Alverta Statler Nelson. He and Beverly Bollinger were married March 23, 1962, in Jackson.

Leland was a 1959 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from June 10, 1959, to June 7, 1963, and was awarded the Good Conduct Metal. He briefly attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Leland was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Richard Leland Nelson

He spent most of his career in management at IGA in Jackson, Ralph Edwards and Tri-Con in Cape Girardeau.

In retirement, he was a shuttle driver at the Lutheran Home and then a valet driver at Saint Francis Medical Center. In his own words, "Serving residents at the nursing home and patients at the hospital was a joy and fulfillment of my being. These are the jobs I've trained for all my life."

To cherish his memory, Leland leaves his wife of 61 years, Beverly Nelson; children, Vickie (Mark) Rinehart, Richard "Rick" Nelson and Leigh (Tim) Miller; grandchildren, Cassi (Josh) Holcomb, Erica (Mike) Cooper, Sydnie (Nick) Evgenides, Leland Nelson, Danielle (Tanner) Willburn, Caleigh (Jacob) Honza, Brody Miller and Austin Miller; stepgrandchildren, Eric (Jenni) Rinehart and Sarah Rinehart Dokken; great-grandchildren, Weston and Hazel Holcomb, London and Harley Cooper and Ryder Willburn; great-stepgrandchildren, Tinsley, Dru and Walter Rinehart and Quinn and Max Dokken; siblings, Keith (Jody) Nelson and Carolyn (Dick) Shuster; and a special aunt, Laverla Luter.

Also surviving are Beverly's siblings, Karen Smith, Mary Meyer (Will Richardson), Mike (Leann) Bollinger and Roy (Carol) Bollinger Jr.; brother-in-law, Bob (late Shirley) Talley; and sister-in-law, Karen (late Butch) Bollinger.

Leland is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Miles Austrevich, and his parents.

A memorial visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. His cousin, Kevin Propst, and the Revs. Troy Richards and Randy Riley will conduct a life celebration ceremony at 3 p.m., followed by military honors.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests First Baptist Church in Jackson, Wounded Warriors or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Leland's obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.