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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in loving memory and honor of Colonel 1
Eric L. Nelson. 2
WHEREAS, Eric L. Nelson was born on February 18, 1963, in Princeton, 3
Kentucky, to Patricia and the late Maxie "Mac" Nelson, and passed away on January 3, 4
2024, at the age of 60, surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Kuttawa, Kentucky; 5
and 6
WHEREAS, Eric Nelson, a graduate of Caldwell County High School and Murray 7
State University, answered a higher call to serve his country in the United States Air 8
Force, commencing his military journey in January, 1987, at Officer Training School at 9
Lackland Air Force Base in Texas; and 10
WHEREAS, Colonel Eric Nelson's distinguished military career spanned 24 years, 11
where he excelled as a weapons systems officer flying F-111s and F-15 Strike Eagles, 12
served in key leadership roles, and participated in critical missions during the Persian 13
Gulf War and in Afghanistan, which culminated in numerous honors, including the 14
Distinguished Flying Cross; and 15
WHEREAS, after retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Eric Nelson devoted himself 16
to his community in Lyon County, serving in various capacities, including emergency 17
and floodplain manager, history instructor, and pastoral roles within the community; and 18
WHEREAS, Colonel Eric Nelson cherished time spent with his wife, Kim, and 19
their family on their hobby farm in Lyon County, nurturing an orchard, gardens, and a 20
range of pets and livestock. He was a passionate football fan, especially of the Kansas 21
City Chiefs, and was a connoisseur of fine food and wine; and 22
WHEREAS, through sickness and health, Colonel Eric Nelson chose to live his life 23
to the fullest, engaging in farming, cooking, baking, sketching, and sports talk, while 24
maintaining his love for reading and history; and 25
WHEREAS, Colonel Eric Nelson's life was characterized by a deep faith, 26
demonstrated by his membership in the Orthodox Church in America, his commitment to 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2077
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serving others, and his unwavering optimism and curiosity; and 1
WHEREAS, Colonel Eric Nelson is survived by his loving family, including his 2
mother, Patricia; wife, Kimberly; children, Chad, Matthew, Linsey, Caleb, Travis, and 3
Emily; 11 grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends, all of whom cherish his 4
memory; and 5
WHEREAS, all who knew and admired Colonel Eric Nelson will grieve over their 6
loss, and he is mourned across the length and breadth of the Commonwealth; 7
NOW, THEREFORE, 8
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 9
Kentucky: 10
Section 1. The members of the Senate express their profound sense of sorrow 11
upon the passing of Colonel Eric L. Nelson, and extends to his family their most heartfelt 12
sympathy. 13
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in loving memory and 14
honor of Colonel Eric L. Nelson. 15
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 16
Resolution to Senator David Yates for presentation to the family of Colonel Eric L. 17
Nelson. 18