Dr. Richard D Nelson passed away November 24 in Beaumont, Texas.

He was born May 31, 1930 in Clinton, Iowa. He received a B.A. Degree from Cornell College of Iowa in 1952 and a PH.D in Physical Chemistry from Kansas State University in 1956. Dr. Nelson joined the DuPont Company in 1956 where he worked in various research assignments until his retirement in 1989 as a technology manager.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, TX, the American Chemical Society, and Sigma XI/PHI Lambda Upsilon Honorary Scientific Society. He was active in the Orange County Little League Football Program, coaching from 1963 to 1969. He was an AARP volunteer tax preparer for several years after retirement.

Dr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. R.J. Nelson and Dorothy P. Nelson; son, Kenneth James Nelson; son-in-law, Wade Bynum; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Bert Nickelsen.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Joan Nelson; daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Barry McKenzie of Orange, daughter, Kimberly Bynum of Denver, Colorado; grandson, Stephen McKenzie of Lewisville, Texas, and Grandson and wife Kyle and Jessica Bynum; and great-grandson and great-granddaughter, Ryan and Serenity Bynum, of Denver, Colorado.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2018, at First Presbyterian Columbarium. Officiating will be Reverend Mike Umbenhaur.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.