Gene Ray Nelson

Funeral services for Gene Ray Nelson, 70, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Harmony Hill Baptist Church with Dr. John W. Greene and Reverend Joe Dufner officiating. Masonic graveside services will follow in the Gann Cemetery under the auspices of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M.

Mr. Nelson was born December 26, 1941 in Angelina County, Texas to the late Earl W. and Frances Ruby (Terry) Nelson, and died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 in a local hospital.

Mr. Nelson was a lifetime resident of Lufkin. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Cuban Crisis and retired from Lufkin Industries following 43 years of employment. Mr. Nelson was a member and past Master of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M. He was a former deacon at Crossroads Baptist Church and a current member of Harmony Hill Baptist Church. Mr. Nelson was very involved with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief Ministry.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Nelson of Lufkin; daughters, Gina Murry and husband Randall and Angela Gibson and fiancé Lynn Bass, all of Lufkin; granddaughter, Chelsey Gibson of Diboll; grandson, Brett Gibson of Lufkin; great-grandson, Payson Arambula of Diboll; step-grandsons, Jayce Murry and wife Susan of Longview, Heath Murry and Kade Murry, both of Lufkin; step-great-granddaughter, Hallie Murry of Longview; sisters, Margarette Wade, Ruth Howell, both of Lufkin, and Nell Travis and husband Jim of San Antonio; brother, Jerry Nelson and wife Dee of Lufkin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Peggy and David Walker of Lufkin; nieces and their spouses, Salina and Ruben Kimball and Mindy and Marty Spies, all of Lufkin; nephew, David Clint Walker of Wichita Falls; and numerous other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his brothers, James W. Nelson and Allen Nelson; sister, Earline Johnson; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gordon and Thelma Crawford.

Pallbearers will be LaVan Watts, Jim Fuller, Jerry Bishop, Billy Stanford, Bryan Sweatnam and Bo Ford.

Honorary pallbearers will be Merv Roberts, Trey Roberts, Vernon Horton and Jim Myers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief Fund, c/o Harmony Hill Baptist Church, 2708 South Chestnut Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.