Gene Austin Nelson

Longtime Duncan businessman and civic leader Gene A. Nelson passed away September 11, 2010 at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was 97 years old.Born in Konawa, Oklahoma, on October 8, 1912, Nelson was the youngest of eight children born to J. P. and Anna Mae Nelson. He graduated high school in Konawa, and continued his education at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Nelson came to Duncan in 1937 to work for Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company. He founded Duncan Equipment Company in 1948, leaving Halliburton in 1950 to begin a lifetime career in business. In 1956, he formed Industrial Finance Company. In 1965, Nelson established and led Chief White GMC & Vacuum Company. Among other business ventures, he was one of the founders of the American National Bank of Duncan, and was a partner in Western Welding Company, Hazelwood Productions & Exploration L.L.C. and Specialty Retailers, Inc. He was a business partner in Coffee Creek Golf Course and Coffee Creek Development Company in Edmond. In addition to the firms he founded, Nelson served directorships for Security National Bank, American National Bank and Universal Life Insurance Company of Duncan. Nelson's civic service included an active membership in the Elks Lodge and Country Club, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1945-46; membership in the Duncan Kiwanis Club since 1949, and the Rotary Club. He served as director for the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce and the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, holding the office of president in 1958 and serving as chairman for various chamber committees. An original trustee, he helped organize and served as director and president of the Duncan Industrial Foundation. He was active in the development fund drive for the Duncan Regional Hospital, the Stephens County Economic Development Task Force, and was instrumental in raising funds for the L.B. and Ola Simmons Community Activity Center. He held directorships for the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation, and the Stephens County Humane Society. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Nelson served on the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges from 1992-1999, and was a lifetime member of the East Central University Foundation, Inc. East Central University granted Nelson an honorary master's of humane letters degree in 2001. He was a member of the University of Oklahoma Touchdown Club and an OU Associate. In 1983, he established a scholarship fund with the following foundations: Duncan High School Foundation, the University of Oklahoma, O.S.U. and O.C.U. A large number of Duncan High School students have received scholarships. Nelson was named "Man of the Year" by the Duncan Chamber of Commerce in 1987; received the Chamber's "Aggressive Leadership and Service Award" in 1996; the "Free Enterprise Award" in 1979; and the "Community Appreciation Award" in 1996. He was recognized by Duncan High School for Appreciation and Support in 1992 and also recognized for service by GMC Truck & Coach Division. He received awards for Appreciation of Outstanding Service and Dedicated Service by the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation, and also received two awards for Appreciation of Outstanding Service from the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. He was named "Century Member" in 1976 and received the "Liberty Bell Award" in 1999. The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce bestowed the "Senior Citizen Award" to Nelson in 1965; and the Duncan Kiwanis Club, the "Legion of Honor" award in 1995. He was recognized for Outstanding Service by the Stephens County Humane Society and received an award from the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in 2003. Nelson is survived by his wife, Jimmie Lee, of the home in Edmond; one daughter, Judy Ragland and husband David of Edmond and one step-daughter, Susan Craton and husband David of Bella Vista, Arkansas. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Nicol Ragland of Venice, California, and Jeremy Ragland of Boulder, Colorado. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janalyn Nelson.