E. Cole Nelson Sr.

E. Cole Nelson Sr., age 88, of Darlington, MD passed away on December 2, 2015 at his home. Born in Volney, VA, he was the son of the late Conley Irvin Nelson and Mamie Lea (Young) Nelson. He retired as a Lieutenant with 30 years of service with the Harford County Sheriff's Office and mentored many youths. He was an active member of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Darlington and was a Senior Warden and worked with the youth. A life member of the Darlington Fire Company for 60 years where he was past chief and president, he was also chairman of the Darlington Carnival for 17 years and past president of the Darlington Lions Club. He played baseball with the Susquehanna League in the 1940's and 1950's and played catcher with the Washington Senators organization. He was awarded Maryland's most "Beautiful Person" from Gov. William Donald Schaefer and was voted "Apple of Our Eye" at the Darlington Applefest in 1990.

Mr. Nelson is survived by his wife of 65 years., Betty Jean (Zebley) Nelson; sons, E. Cole Nelson Jr. (Carolyn) of Forest Hill, Robert Michael (Mary) Nelson of Dublin and William David Nelson of Darlington; sister, Audrey West of Bel Air; grandchildren, Joshua Nelson, Laurie Bowman, Erin Carter, Samantha Nelson and Michael Nelson; and great grandchildren, Kaylea Carter, Sarah Nelson, Emily Nelson, Devin Bowman, Liam Carter and Sydney Bowman.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Donald R. Nelson, brothers, Ralph, Gilmer, Stanley, Breece and Bayne Nelson and sisters, Udalah and Juanita Nelson, Henrietta Weaver, Velma Barnes, Lorraine Svasek and Irene Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1022 Main Street, P.O. Box 35, Darlington, MD 21034 or Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 178, Darlington, MD 21034.