Archpriest Joseph Andrew Nelson fell asleep in the Lord on May 4, 2011, following a prolonged illness at the Veterans Home in Talihina, OK. Father Joseph has no surviving relatives, but he is loved by his former parishioners, nursing staff at the Veterans home, and by many clergy.
Prior to entering the priesthood, Father Joseph served in Vietnam and the Air force from 1964 to 1968, with the rank of Sergeant. Following the war, he graduated from the Palm Beach Atlantic College, Palm Beach , FL, with a degree in police science. He then served on the Palm Beach Police Department from 1973 until 1983.
He was ordained to the diaconate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese on February 22, 1981 and to the priesthood of the Orthodox Church in America on July 19, 1986. He served Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Miami, FL (1981-1992), Saint Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX (1992-1995), and Saints Cyril and Methodius Church Hartshorne, OK (1996-2009). He also served as Chancellor of the Diocese of the South from 1989 until 1995.
He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents Joseph Michael Jacobs and Marie B. Krajnicks.
A Panikhida will be celebrated at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, Hartshorne, OK, on Sunday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. The Divine Liturgy and Funeral Service will be celebrated on Monday, May 9 at 9:00 a.m. His Grace, Bishop Mark of Baltimore will preside. Interment will take place at the National Cemetery, Fort Smith, AR, Tuesday May 10. at 1:00 p.m.
May Father Joseph’s memory be eternal!