A Family Graveside Service for Claude Nelson, Age 70 of Zanoni, Missouri will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at in The Gainesville Cemetery, Gainesville, Missouri, beginning at 2pm.
Arrangements under the direction of The Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Claude Otis Nelson, son of the late Claude and Mary (Stark) Nelson, was born March 22, 1955, in DeWitt, Arkansas, and departed this life March 24, 2026, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove, Missouri, at 71 years of age.
Claude grew up and attended school mostly in Arkansas before moving to southern Missouri. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Barnett on December 13, 1977, in Ava, Missouri, and together they raised seven children: Marie, Cindy, Joseph, James, Claude, Heather, and Niki. Claude was a man of many talents, and there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t do or build. He has worked many different jobs throughout his career including a dairy farm, rice mill, county road crew, and an all-around general handyman. His talents also included getting to build their family home himself many years ago, and he was also an excellent auto mechanic.
Some of Claude’s hobbies included hunting, dancing, and singing. He was an excellent singer and loved all kinds of music, but singing Christian hymns has always been his favorite. Claude was a very generous man, and there wasn’t a person that he wouldn’t help if he could. He was also known to have an ornery streak and an outgoing personality. He never met a stranger that he couldn’t strike up a conversation with. Claude was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather who his grandkids affectionately called “Papaw.”
Claude was a wonderful and upstanding Christian man. He was a long-time member of Smith Chapel Church of Christ, and he later became a member at Souder Church of Christ where he was currently attending. The very most important thing in life to Claude was that his children and grandchildren know Jesus and turn to the Good Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Mary Nelson, and his siblings, Clovis, Glen, Thelma, Alice, Berthie, and Marie.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Linda Nelson, his seven children, Marie Scott, Cindy Mahan, Joseph Nelson, James Nelson, Claude Nelson, Heather Trevino, and Niki Jones, 23 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one brother, Buddy Nelson, one sister, Velma Wages, and many nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends who will miss him.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family by clicking on the “Donate Now” link below.
