Gary Joe Nelson, 78 of McLeansboro, IL passed away Friday, July 10, 2026, at his residence. He was born June 16, 1948, in Vicker’s Hospital, a son of Carl and Mary (Gunter) Nelson. He went to East Side Grade School in McLeansboro for eight years and went to McLeansboro Township High School, graduating in 1966. He then left McLeansboro to work at CAT Tractor in Joliet. Gary was drafted in February 1967, joined the Army Security Agency for four years. He went to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, then Fort Belvoir, Virginia for AIT. He spent over three years in Vietnam.
Gary came home November 1971. He started at Rend Lake College in January 1972 and graduated in December 1973 with High Honors. Gary then started SIU Carbondale in January 1974 obtaining Administrative Justice with a minor in Health Education, graduated the fall of 1975. Then he started working at the Mt. Vernon Police Department, from there he went to work in McLeansboro as a City Police Officer. Unhappy with Police Department pay, Gary started Nelson Electric Heating and Air where he worked until he was fully disabled from Vietnam and sold his 30year business to Andrew Kelly. Gary never married because he stayed home to take care of his parents who were in poor health. During his life he worked in several youth programs as an instructor of Hunter’s Safety and various shooting sports. Gary started the first trap shooting team at Hamilton County High School as a coach. He left there to coach in Carmi for Southeastern Illinois trap shooters. Gary helped several of his students get scholarships for shooting. His first year with Hamilton County, their team won 3rd place in state. In Carmi they won 2nd in state every year. NRA magazine wrote an article about Gary coaching the Amateur Trap Shooting Association Rookie of the year on back-to-back years.
During the time of coaching in the shooting sports, Gary bought several guns and ammo for kids and young adults with an interest in shooting. He has given away over 150 guns. After his retirement from coaching, Gary continued to help kids, pay college tuition, books, and helped with other educational expenses.
Survivors include a brother Melvin Nelson, Flannigan, IL. and a sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Bob Nylander, Chenoa, IL. Several Nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.
Visitation for Gary Nelson will be Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Harre Funeral Home, McLeansboro, IL. with the funeral service following. Burial will be at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, McLeansboro, IL. with Speakers Reverend Jacob Gray, David Guage and Tucker Braden officiating.
Military Honors will be accorded by The National Honor Guard and American Legion Post 106.
The family is being served by Harre Funeral Home, 310 West Randolph Street, McLeansboro, IL.
