Son of Fred and Florace (Morgan) Nelson, followed his father in promoting the cotton industry in New Mexico's Pecos Valley. After graduating from New Mexico State University in 1941 and serving in the Air Force during World War II, Nelson returned to the family farm near Roswell. He was elected to the New Mexico State Legislature in 1949 and served six consecutive terms during which sponsered the bill establishing the State's Board of Educational Finance and served as its chairman. He also served on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and chaired the New Mexico Savings and Loan's Board of Directors until 1976. In addition, he has served on the boards of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus Foundation; Cotton, Inc., and its political arm, the Cotton Council; and the Chaves County Historical Society. Married to Joyce Walsh, three daughters.
From the description of Papers, 1580-1989 (bulks 1886-1989). (Texas Tech University). WorldCat record id: 26334091
