Richmond Luke Nelson

Like any good book this is only the preface of the introduction of a full experience a person who made his 3 score and 2 years really count. Everyone has to write their version their chapter, their side of the story.  However, there's an island in the Caribbean known for its sunshine beauty and tranquility it’s lush green mountains rivers and streams, the habitants are friendly, the fruits are sweet and succulent and in abundance all year round. It was also home to Richmond Luke Delano "Nello" Nelson the 8th child born to Florence Pearlina "Normsie" and Richmond Walter Nelson. Richie as he was affectionately called was born on January 15, 1959 in Kingston Jamaica. He was a delightful little lad, whose captivating smile and quiet comedy aroused laughter and enjoyment.

Richmond attended JEM Memorial Preparatory on Spanish Town Road in Kingston, and at a tender age he would be seen protecting his little brother Raymond, they were like twins separated by a grade but inseparable at heart. He then attended Whitfield Town all-age school and then on successfully passing the common entrance examination he went on to Jamaica College (High School).  He was sent or sentenced to West Indies College/NCU at the request of the late Pastor Herbert Fletcher.  Life at WIC was exciting and he quickly built a fraternity, probably the first at WIC… a group of men who were feared but revered by many who passed by the cafeteria, the library, seat of the scornful or the men's dorm on the Campus. The 78-79 DOGS was the acronym for Disciplinary Organization of Gentlemen Society, complete with the mission statement guidelines and standards and clearly academic failure was not an option. After a thrilling and exciting college life he graduated with a first degree in Business Administration. His career began St. Andrew Technical School as business teacher, and then worked as an accountant with the Bureau of Standards in Jamaica.  After migrating to US, he continued to work in the field of accounting for several years, but due to health challenges, he was unable to work regular job hours.  In his quest to provide for his family he started his entrepreneurial journey, honing some of the skills he developed working in family’s furniture store, the adjoining  welding facility, a car repair and body shop. Richmond learned from an early age how to balance work, chores, study and play. He later established himself as an outstanding mechanic and body repair man and trusted car trader. 

Ministry was Richmond’s lifeline, and his love for ministry seemed to have its inception in the early 60s, when the family would be seen walking into Trench Town church and later as they attended Andrews Memorial Chapel.  Undoubtedly, his christian values instilled by his godly parents and nurturing church members provided the foundation and love for ministry and many of his childhood and lifelong friends are all in the same circle interconnected in one concentric circle. He was kind, confident, determined and humble servant of God. Richmond would always surface in the circle touching lives encouraging others, being a positive christian influence and sharing life lessons and the Word message worth pondering.  In recent years, he felt the call to ministry and totally surrendered his life to sharing the good news of salvation. His heart’s desire was for everyone to enter into a saving relationship, and it was not unusual for him to send text messages inquiring about your relationship with God and to even chastise if living in disobedience, but he used every waking opportunity to invite others to Jesus.  Elder Richmond Nelson lived the Word and died in the Word. And many of his sermons can be viewed on social media. How fitting that the title of last prepared sermon was “the midnight cry” and he was scheduled to preach that very Sabbath. 

Richmond loved and cared for his family, he was one of the primary caregivers for his mom “Normsie, and he was always seeking the best for his family. He loved and adored his three daughters, Carla, Nicole and Ashely, and was a kind brother to his siblings Beverly, Patrick, Joan, Janet and Raymond and his nieces and nephews. On January 18, 2004, he married the beautiful Ivalyn and was a devoted and loving husband to her for over 17 years.  He expressed gratitude to God for his precious gift. He shared that Ivalyn loved the Lord, was very understanding, compassionate, supportive, and she dutifully loved and cared for him in spite of his health challenges. Richmond was infectious as he was funny and in his own unique way he touched each one personally, he had this distinct characteristic of identifying a particular quality or incident that linked or anchored their relationship.  He had eidetic memory.  It was not unusual for him to recall the musings and mischiefs of youthful years and either nod or smile.  Richmond excelled in all his talents but more importantly he excelled as a Bible scholar and preacher of the Word.  Richmond Luke Delano Nelson, by touching our lives you have changed our world. He will forever be fondly and lovingly be remembered by his,

Wife Ivalyn Nelson

Daughters Carla Nicole and Ashley

Siblings. Beverly, Patrick, Joan, Janet and Raymond

Cousins, Neices and nephews, Church family, in-laws, classmates and business associates

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