Obituary for George A. Nelson

George Arlington "Skip" Nelson, McAllen, TX, formerly of Ames and Pleasantville, died Tuesday, October 14, 2008. He was born on August 24, 1936 in Des Moines, IA to Emma Helen Hobson and Arlington F. Perigo. George graduated from Ames High School in 1955. He participated in football, basketball, and track. He was the first underclassman ever elected captain of a varsity sport (track) and was the first Ames High sprinter to run the 440 yard dash in under 50 seconds. George served in the US Navy from 1955 to 1959, graduating from the Navy Journalist School at Great Lakes, IL in 1956. He was editor of the Kingsville, TX Naval Air Station newspaper (1956-1957) and was with the American Forces Radio and TV service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (1957-1959). His broadcasting career began in 1954 at KASI in Ames. Following his Navy service he worked at KASI; KWKY, KIOA, and KSO all in Des Moines; KWMT in Fort Dodge; and KHAK in Cedar Rapids. White at KWMT he was names the Country Music Association''s small market Disc Jockey of the Year in 1975. For a number of years he was featured on Iowa Public Television''s state fair broadcasts. In 1977 George changed careers when he went to work for the Iowa Department of Transportation as an information specialist. He retired from the DOT on September 13, 2001. A lifelong racing enthusiast, he served as an announcer at several tracks in Iowa including Knoxville, Des Moines, Webster City, Boone, Newton, Oskaloosa, Bloomfield, and Marshalltown. He also announced races at state and county fairs in Iowa and the Midwest. In 1989 he was inducted into the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame. His son Lee was inducted into the same Hall of Fame in 2005. They were the second father-son combination to be inducted. George was the announcer in the racing movie "Fever Heat" which was filmed in Iowa. According to the film''s producer he had the most lines of dialogue of any actor in the movie. He also hosted and announced auto races and shows aired on Iowa Public Television. George enjoyed all sports and was a devoted fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and Chicago Cubs. He was an avid golfer and played as often as possible. Another of his enjoyments was reading, with favorite titles ranging from historical to the latest thrillers. He was one of the founders of the Ames Boys and Girls Club and also served one term as president of the Little Cyclone Club. George married Rosalie Stephens of Ames in 1960. They were divorced in 1986. In 1989 he married Rebecca Drake DeJoode of Pleasantville. Together they enjoyed golfing, traveling, their grandchildren and spending winters at their home in McAllen, TX. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #520, in Ames. He was elected four times to serve as the lodge''s governor in addition to holding all other offices of the lodge at various times. George served as secretary of Heartland Moose Legion #139 for five years. He was twice a state champion for his lodge''s ritual staff. He served as Deputy Supreme Governor for the Iowa/Eastern Nebraska Moose Association in 1996. In 1997 he was asked to serve as a Regional Fund Raising Chairman for the Moose''s Life Care For Tomorrow project which was charged with raising $16 million dollars to construct a new medical facility at Moosehaven, a home for the fraternity''s seniors in Florida. Also in 1997 he was appointed to the International Government Relations Committee of Moose International, the organization''s governing body. In 1999 he was named chairman of that committee and held that position until 2008. In 2000 he received the Order''s highest and most prestigious honor when he was elevated to the Pilgrim Degree of Merit. George is survived by his wife and best friend Rebecca; son Lee (Val) of Pleasant Hill; daughter Georgina (Curt) Stoecker of Stanhope; and stepsons Chad (Sherri) DeJoode of Pleasantville and Ryan DeJoode of Indianola. Also surviving are grandchildren Jill and Kyle Nelson of Ames; Daniel, Janae, and Preston Stoecker of Stanhope; Noelie Nicolas; Hanna, Abby, and Jake DeJoode of Pleasantville; Clementine DeJoode of Des Moines; and Benjamin DeJoode of Indianola. Mr. Nelson was a member of Collegiate Methodist Church in Ames. A service to celebrate Skip''s life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 2 PM at Memorial Hall in Pleasantville, IA. In lieu of flowers, the family would like any memorials to go to Iowa Health Home Care Hospice, 11333 Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322.