Clifton A. Nelson, of Locust Grove Virginia, died on 1/4/2020. Born on June 8th, 1932, "Cliff" as he was known, was originally from College Park, MD. He graduated from Charlotte Hall Military Academy in 1951 and enlisted in the Navy. He was a veteran of the Korean War. After his Naval service ended Cliff attended the University of Maryland, College Park. It was there he met his wife of 63 years, Jane Montgomery. They were married in 1956. In 1962 Cliff and Jane moved their young family from Carrollton, MD to Monument, Colorado, where they resided for over 20 years. There he was the owner of "Cliff's Conoco," and was a fixture in the small community, always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.

He and Jane returned to the Washington area in 1988, where he worked for Koons Ford until retirement upon which they decided to live on their 44-foot trawler, Blue Moon. Four years later they set anchor and built a home on land in Vero Beach, Florida. They resided in Florida for 15 years, making many friends and participating in a multitude of activities including theater, photography, kayaking on the Indian river lagoon and enjoying their dogs.  In December 2019 they moved to Virginia to be closer to family.

He was an avid sailor and was happiest at the helm of his sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay, usually with an assortment of children and grandchildren on board. He loved fast cars and to run ahead of the pack on the highways. He and Jane also loved to travel and saw much of the United States as well as Italy, France, Belgium and Holland.

He delighted in his role as patriarch of, and was much loved by, a large extended family of three generations. He was gregarious and could talk to anyone about anything. His hearty laugh and love of cookies will be missed by many.

He is survived by wife Jane Nelson; children, Kim Jovanelly, Shelli Nelson, Mike Nelson and Jackie Kelleher; seven grandchildren; Katie Littlefield, Shannon Madlin, James O'Donnell, Nick Jovanelly, Taylor Nelson, Zack Nelson and Rose Kelleher; nine great grandchildren; Jay, Tommy and Colin Littlefield; Aubrey and Connor Madlin; Bailey, Dylan and Sammy Jovanelly; Mia O'Donnell; sister; Jean Mason, nieces; Robin Henderson, Linda Hemmer, and great nieces and nephew; Stephen and Kimberly Henderson and Zooey Hemmer.

A memorial service will be held at Laurel Hill Funeral Home on March 14th at 10:00am.

The family requests that donations be made in Cliff's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.