Donald Emery Nelson

Donald Emery Nelson, 95, a cherished and well-respected resident of Uplands Village Retirement Community in Pleasant Hill, TN, passed away peacefully Friday, October 17, 2025.

Born in Norwood, MA to Edwin W. and Dorothy E. Nelson of Islington, MA., he and his late younger brother Robert “Bob” Nelson, moved with their parents to Newton, MA, Belfast, ME, Kennebunk, ME, and Peterborough, NH. Don graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1948, followed by 3 years at Emerson College, MA. He then joined the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, as a combat soldier in Korea where he was assigned as an announcer/producer in the American Forces Korea Network of Armed Forces Radio Service. Following three years of Army service he received his BS degree from Boston University. In 1955, he married Sally J. Furber of Winthrop, ME. He was a staff announcer on these radio stations: WBUR Boston, MA; WKNE, Keene, NH; and WNEB, Worcester, MA. In 1957, Don became Director of the Radio -TV Center at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. He and his family lived in Mansfield and Storrs, CT until 1965, when they moved to American Samoa where Don was an instructional TV producer/ director, production supervisor and newscaster on KVZK-TV, Pago Pago, American Samoa. In 1968 he earned a M.Ed Degree in Educational Communications from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu and then moved to St. Albans, WV, where Don was Producer/Director at The Appalachia Educational Laboratory's recorded elementary instructional TV series, "Around the Bend" in Charleston, WV. In 1970, Don moved to Newark, DE and became Director of the University of Delaware’s Instructional Resources Center and even became the speech coach for Senator Joseph Biden. After his divorce in 1974, he married Jean Dickerson in 1978. He retired from the University of Delaware in 1985 and became Associate Professor of Business Communication at Wilmington, DE's Goldey-Beacom College until retiring again in 1994.

While in retirement Don and Jean continued to travel and camped in 48 states while living on Smith Mountain Lake, VA and Hillsboro Island, FL. In 2010, they moved from their Coburn Woods, Jaffrey, NH home to Uplands Village Retirement Community- Pleasant Hill, TN. Don’s volunteer activities included acting in community theaters, singing in choruses, Barbershop Quartets, church choirs, narration of books and magazines for the blind and visually impaired. He and his wife Jean were founding Board of Trustees members for Jaffrey, NH's The Park Theater, coordinator of Uplands Village, TN Armchair Theater, trombone player and "roadie" in the Pleasant Hill, TN Ensemble, singer at Uplands long-term care homes "Musical Mondays" and "Sunday Hymn Sings". Don co-produced with photographer wife Jean a monthly web album of activities at Uplands Village and Pleasant Hill Community Church. He also was the script writer/MC for the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass band concerts in Crossville, TN for many years.

Nelson was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Jean H. Nelson. Don is survived by his four children and their spouses: Scott Nelson (Mary Ann), New Castle, DE; Donna Pollhammer of New Windsor, MD; Kent Nelson (Gayle) West Gardiner, ME and Beth Nelson Christensen (Mark) Grants Pass, OR. Don is further survived by four stepdaughters Lou Ann Hitchens (Daniel) Pleasant Hill, TN; Margie Craver (Neil) The Villages, FL; Andra Beames, Deerfield Beach, FL and Porter Knight, Owego, NY.

Don had four grandchildren Robert Nelson, Tim Nelson, Michael Pollhammer, Kelly Pollhammer Deimler and seven step grandchildren Aviel Hitchens, Jordan Hitchens, Sam Beames, Sarah Beames, Storm Knight, Breezy Knight Malia, and Megan Craver. Two great-granddaughters Ellie and Hazel Nelson, and nine step great-grandchildren Zia and Zorin Hitchens; Najya Hitchens; Storm II, Piper, Rebel and Ziggy Knight; Mit and Rip Malia.

Don will respectfully be honored with a military service at Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH with a Celebration of Life ceremony at Uplands Village in the spring.

Arrangements and care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service.