Larry L. Nelson drew his first breath on Monday, April 10th, 1933 in the little town of Newcastle, Nebraska; and 89 years later, he drew his last breath on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 in his home in Anthony, Kansas. He was the first of six children born to Oscar and Ann (Vollers) Nelson. His parents were tenant farmers there and later moved to the Laurel, Nebraska area where he attended school, graduating from Laurel High School in 1950.

Larry later joined the United States Air Force and was stationed McConnell Air Force base in Wichita, Kansas where he served as a flight-line mechanic on the B-47 bombers. During his service in Kansas, Larry met Shirley Standifer at a drive-in diner and it was love at first sight for him. After dating a short time, Larry and Shirley eloped on January 1,1956 to be married in a little chapel in Conway, Arkansas that had been attended by her grandparents.

They welcomed their first son David in March of 1957 and the next year Larry was honorably discharged from the military with a final rank of Staff Sergeant. The family moved to Concord, Nebraska where he worked for the University of Nebraska as a livestock foreman at the Northeast Nebraska experiment station.

One year later, they returned to Wichita, KS to work with Shirley's parents at their restaurant called Orville's Coffee Cup. In 1961 they purchased the restaurant, changing the name to Nelson's Coffee Cup; a 24/7 business that they operated for 10 years.

Their 2nd son, Jon was born in August of 1963 and 2 years later the family moved to a small farm in Mulvane, KS. Later they sold the Coffee Cup, and then the farm to move to Anthony, Kansas in 1972 after purchasing a little diner called Mark's Grill. Larry had a vision for growth and designed and executed an expansion to the little diner and in 1975 he opened the newly expanded restaurant as Nelson's Restaurant, a thriving business he operated until his retirement.

Larry lost the love of his life on November 12, 2014 but continued to be a wonderful brother, father, uncle, grandpa, great-grandpa, neighbor and friend. To know him was to know a man of wisdom, kindness, and generosity.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Ann; and two brothers, Philip Nelson and Richard Nelson. He is survived by brothers: Loren (Connie) of Elgin, NE, Monte (Gana) of Mesa, AZ; sister, Corrine (Don) Casey of Yankton, SD; sons, David (Ginny) Nelson of Wichita, KS and Jon (Lona) Nelson of Gardner, KS; grandchildren, Loren (Tasha) Nelson, Nik (Sarah Palubinski) Nelson, Niki Smith, Naythan Smith, LaRissa (Jess) Westmoreland, and Spencer Nelson; as well as 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Revolution Fellowship Church in Anthony with Pastor Kent Olds officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Revolution Fellowship Church in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.