Allen D. Nelson

GRANBURY — Dr. Allen D. Nelson, 84, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, after a lengthy and courageous battle with lung disease. He was surrounded by family in his Granbury home. He was a devoted and loving husband and father who put love of God and family above all else.
Memorial service: 10 a.m. Thursday at Lakeside Baptist Church, 500 W. Bluebonnet Drive, Granbury, 76048.
Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, 75211.
Visitation: Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wiley Funeral Home, 400 E. Highway 377, Granbury, 76048.
A native of China Spring, Allen graduated from Waco High School at the age of 16, and later enlisted in the Marine Corps. After his service, and with the aid of the GI Bill, he enrolled at Texas A&M University, where he earned acceptance to A&M’s School of Veterinary Medicine completing his doctorate with honors in 1960.
Allen’s tireless passion to serve as an advocate for the consumer was evident to all those who worked with him. He had more than 2,000 employees in over 1,000 plants across an eight-state region. His work ethic, unassuming style, and unwavering energy for doing what was right, made him a world class leader during a revolutionary time for the USDA, and the meat and poultry industry. After 34 years, he retired Southwest Regional Director, USDA.
During his retirement, he enjoyed golf, fishing, playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids, and spending time with family watching the Aggies play football. He also devoted his service to the Lakeside Baptist Church food pantry, where memorial donations may be made in Allen’s name, in lieu of flowers.
He was preceded in death by his father, Allen David Nelson; mother, Myrtle Elizabeth Copeland Nelson; brother, Howard Nelson; sisters, Lois Smith and Joyce Behringer.
Survivors: His cherished wife of 59 years, Miriam Smith Nelson; his son, David Nelson and daughter-in-law, Tracy, of Rockwall; daughter, Karen Nelson Harris and son-in-law, Cliff Harris, of Dallas; sister, Jeanie Pack and brother-in-law, Pete Pack, of Waco; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.