John A. Nelson

John Alvah Nelson, 77, of Onaga, Kansas, died on Friday, August 8, 2025, after a prolonged illness. John was born February 27, 1948, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of August William and Mary Irene Berridge Nelson. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Richard Nelson, Bruce Nelson, and Kevin Nelson, a niece Melissa Nelson, and his beloved dog, Levi. He is survived by brothers Rodney Nelson Sr. (Suzanne), Craig Nelson, a sister, Carla Nelson, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews. John also leaves behind his life-long friend, Doc Holladay, who visited him frequently to shoot the breeze and share memories, and helped John with bathing, shaving, and haircuts during his illness. John graduated from Highland Park High School in 1966, during which he participated in baseball, choir and musical productions, and the Scott Singers.

In 1967, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve, attended Washburn University and began working at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) as an apprentice Freight Carman. He was called to active duty by the Navy in January 1968. During his active duty, John served on the USS Taylor of the Pacific Fleet in the Ganh Rai Bay, off the coast of South Vietnam near the entrance of the Saigon River, the USS Walker and the USS Epperson of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. He was briefly treated in Sasebo, Japan for an injury sustained on the USS Epperson and was honorably discharged in 1969. Upon his return to Topeka, he resumed his job at the BNSF Railroad as a Freight Carman and retired with a disability after 30 years of railroad service.

After retiring, John moved to Onaga, Kansas. Following the death of John’s good friend, Terry (Toad) Graf in 1992, he had become very close to and looked after Terry’s mother, Marge Graf, Terry’s daughter, Tera Graf-Randell, and son, David Graf, of Onaga. John was an avid golfer, participating in many tournaments with his brothers and friends. He was an Onaga High School golf coach for two years and became a regular at the Onaga Golf Course, as well as several others. John also loved being out in nature, a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, canoeing, and hunting. He loved music, singing, and taught himself how to play the guitar and dobro. He enjoyed snow skiing trips with his friends and played on a softball team with Doc Holladay and other Railroad friends. He especially enjoyed looking out his big window at the birds and critters. John was a generous, kind-hearted man who never let his disability or illness get the best of him.

Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW Tenth, Topeka, Kansas is handling the arrangements. A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Prairie Home Cemetery located at the corner of 35th and NW Menoken Road, Topeka, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, John requested memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.