Paul Donald Nelson

Paul Donald Nelson, 81, of Lake Charles LA, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Paul, who was known as Don to family and friends, was born in Burke, LA on January 28, 1943, to Joseph Vinton Nelson and Bertina Rita Orsot Nelson and moved to Lake Charles, LA with his family as a young child. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic school until high school and was a graduate of Washington High School. 

Don retired from his Allstate Insurance agency after serving the community from 1978-2001 and continued to help his daughter, Melisa McMillian Adrian, as a mentor and leader when Melisa assumed ownership of the business. He was active in the community, as a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Margaret Catholic Church and parishioner of St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church.

Don was also proud of his work with the Louisiana Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University (as it was originally titled) and now known as the Creole Heritage Center. He served as an original founding member and a board of director in 1997 under the leadership of Terrel Delphin, Jr. This role inspired him to research his own family genealogy as he loved sharing this history with family and friends. Don, along with his brother, Larry Nelson, and his wife, Shelia Nelson, spent many hours traveling, taking pictures, talking to people and documenting their work along the way. We are forever grateful for the work done by them.

Don, known as Poppie to his grandchildren, loved his family and community and shared his tradition of cooking cracklings with them. This started when St Margaret Catholic Church had their 1st CalcaChew festival on the church grounds. He was also known for his crawfish boils, boudin and brownies.

Don was the family storyteller. He often spoke of the 'good ole days' and the memories he had with his cousins, Harry Kerlegan Jr. and Calvin LeFrere. If fact, they were more like brothers than cousins and the things they experienced while growing up was always a joy to hear. 

Don loved playing dominos, checkers, yuk, bouree' and croquet. He told us many stories of the times he spent a as young man with his grandmother (Mommie), Suzette Barras Orsot, playing dominos and checkers and how she didn't let him win so he had to continue to play until he was good enough to beat her on his own. We watched many card games of bourrée and yuk as he enjoyed this time with his family. Don was also a fierce croquet player and had mastered, as he stated, the game to outwit his opponents. We realized early on that this game needed both skill and strategy. He shared many stories of going 'down east' to New Iberia to watch his uncle's play as a young boy until he was old enough and skilled enough to be invited to participate. And it didn't matter if it was one on one or playing as partners, he looked forward to the challenge. At home, we remember the croquet lot set up in his backyard, where he spent time playing with his brothers, Larry, Mike and Ted along with Harry Jr and many others that came by to test their skills.

Don leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memories; three daughters, Melisa Adrian (Mitchell) and Stacie Nelson, both of Lake Charles LA; and Stephanie McCormick (Michael) of Tupelo, MS; two sons, Vinton Nelson and Brent Nelson, both of Lake Charles; one sister, Sally Guillory (Hubert), sister in law, Janis Nelson and two brothers; Michael Nelson (Lou), and Ted Nelson (Elizabeth) all of Lake Charles; eight grandchildren; Travis McMillian, Katelynn Adrian, Cade and Allie McCormick and Gavin, Kaylee, Mercedes and Brent Nelson along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Proceeding Don in his death is his wife, Shelia Ann Lange Nelson (whom he was married to for 51 years), his parents, Vinton and Bertina Nelson; and a brother, Joseph Larry Nelson.

The family would like to give special thanks and appreciation to the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital staff and medical personnel, his long-time doctor, Edward Hebert and the Cornerstone Specialty hospital for the excellent care and concern they exhibited. We also appreciate the many prayers for Don's healing.

Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home Friday, January 10, 2025 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM with a rosary starting at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday, January 11, 2025 beginning at 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Levi Thompson will officiate. Entombment will follow the Mass at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.