Obituary of Norman Murl Nelson

Norman Murl Nelson, 88, widower of Helen Maxine McLeod Nelson, died Sunday, August 30, 2020 at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Born in Montcoal, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Murl Nelson and Retta Combs Nelson. He served three years in the US Air Force and was deployed during the Korean War. Upon his return, he began a career in business. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morris Harvey College in Charleston, W. Virginia while working two jobs. He worked with Allied Chemical before becoming employed by Westinghouse. He also earned his master’s degree through the Harvard Executive MBA Program while he was with Westinghouse. During his tenure with Westinghouse, he worked in management, much of the time in executive positions for many of the companies owned by Westinghouse. He was president of a plastics company in California, Group W Cable in California and 7Up in Southern California, Utah and Nevada just to name a few. He reported directly to the board of directors of Westinghouse and worked as a troubleshooter for ailing companies. During his time at 7Up, he also served on the board of directors for the National Soft Drink Association. His career took him to many places, both foreign and domestic. While at 7Up, he made visits to Europe, Asia and the Middle East to look for sites for new 7Up plants. One of his trips took him to France where he signed the first contract to have Perrier imported to the US. His time with Group W Cable allowed him access to many celebrities. His collection of photos included Lou Ferrigno and Magic Johnson. He was pleased with his career, but most of all he was very proud of his family, and they were very proud of him. He loved them dearly and showed them as often as he could in every way that he could. He was admired and respected by many business people often taking time to share his career experiences with them. He was a member of the Manning United Methodist Church and attended the First Church of God in Sumter. Surviving are a son, Gary Nelson (Jill) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; ; three grandchildren; Michael Nelson (Kim), Tania Nelson and Amanda Nelson: eight great-grandchildren; Justin, Travis, Leann, Tristan, Nathan, Emma, Sydney and Andrew; numerous nieces and nephews; three sisters, Helen Richmond, Ann Shelton and Brenda Shelton; one brother, Roger Nelson; daughter-in-law, Kimmy Nelson of Palmdale, CA. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Glenn Nelson; one granddaughter, Kristen Nelson; four sisters, Janice Marie Holmes, Carol Miller, Erma Cook, and Ethel Lovell; two brothers, Kenneth Nelson and Danny Ray Nelson. Private graveside service will be held at 4:30 PM Thursday, September 3, 2020 at the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Ron Bower officiating. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.