David Haskel Nelson, 56, of Elizabethton, former Chief of Police, Bluff City, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Johnson City Medical Center after an extended illness. He was born August 7, 1962 in Elizabethton to the late John Cecil and Charlotte Sue Honeycutt Nelson and step-father, Fred H. Tyree.
David was a graduate of Elizabethton High School. He had been involved in law enforcement most of his life. He worked at the Carter County Sheriff’s Department for 14 years, Bluff City Police Department for 14 years, the last six years he served as Chief of Police. He was a member of the Chief of Police Association. He was a former minister serving in the Watauga Flats Baptist Church. He was a member of the New Zion Faith Center, Johnson City.
Survivors include a son, Deven Ray Nelson and wife Chassity, Elizabethton; one granddaughter, Myia Nicole Nelson; his brother, Cecil Nelson and wife Melissa, Elizabethton; his sister, Linda Sue Nelson, Elizabethton; a niece, Melinda Sue Nelson; two nephews, Hunter Ray Nelson and Freddie Nelson; a step-daughter, Clarida Johnson; and step-grandchildren, Kendra, Kenzie, Kyler, Kaylee and Cassidy. He is also survived by special friend, Lisa Nelson.
Funeral services for David Haskel Nelson will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastor Earnest Widby officiating. The graveside service and Interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14, in the Spears Cemetery. Active pallbearers and honors will be provided by the Bluff City Police Department. Honorary pallbearers will be Hunter Nelson, Freddie Nelson, Ricky Hardin, Brandon Montgomery, Earnest Rosenbaum, James Arnold, Jerry Miller, Bobby Rainbolt, Ken Higgins and Bob Oliver, members of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department, members of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department and members of the Elizabethton Police Department. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at the residence of his sister, Linda Sue Nelson, 501 Summitt Avenue, Elizabethton. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Thursday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Nelson family.