Joseph Edward Nelson

​Joseph Edward Nelson "Joe", Age 79, of Ponce de Leon, Florida, passed away after complications from a sudden illness at Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee, FL on November 18th, 2016. Joe was born and raised in Des Moines Iowa. He was a man of great character and integrity, a loving father and husband, and a good business man. As a boy he achieved the high rank of Eagle Scout, and as a young man he served in the Air Force, stationed in California and was honorably discharged. He lived most of his life in Boynton Beach, FL where he raised his family and earned his living as the owner and operator of Pioneer Paint and Body Shop on Railroad Avenue for over 30 years. Joe relocated to Ponce de Leon from South Florida in the mid-90s to join his parents (Jack and Grace Nelson) who had retired to Ponce de Leon, where he opened up New Frontier Paint and Body Shop on State Highway 81.Joe was married to Louise (Martin) Nelson who took on the role of raising his very young daughters from his first marriage of only a few years to Carol (Catron) Nelson. Joe and Louise were married for over 40 years until she passed away from complications of a stroke in 2007. He then lived with his companion, Missy Denise (Rodriquez/Higgins) Nelson who pre-deceased him in 2014. He is lovingly remembered by his daughters Sheri McCandless (and husband Hugh) of Loxahatchee, FL; Linda Bryant of Knoxville, TN; and Debbie Harrell (and husband Henry) of Widowee, AL, by his Granddaughter Heather Langworthy (and husband David) of Loxahatchee, FL, his Grandson Keith Cloutier of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, and his Great Granddaughters, Autumn and Taylor Langworthy of Loxahatchee, FL. His daughter, Cindi Webber of Adams, TN pre-deceased him in 2015.Aside from repairing cars, Joe's hobby was competing in Fast Draw Competitions since becoming involved in the sport in the early 1960s. He was well known in both Boynton Beach and Ponce de Leon as a "Quick Draw". He competed in Fast Draw Contests across the United States and the "old gunfighter" still competed in competitions up until the last couple of years. He was a member of the World Fast Draw Association, as well as the Ohio Fast Draw Association.
Joe will be laid to rest beside his parents in Lake Worth, Florida after a private family service. 

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