Larry Dean Nelson, 87, passed away July 31, 2025 at Balfour Riverfront Park Senior Living, Denver, Colorado.

He was born August 5, 1937 in Newton, the son of Aaron Carl and Leta Viva Van Eaton Nelson.

A longtime resident of Washington D.C. before moving to Colorado, he attained a BS from Phillips University, an MS from Kansas State University, and a PHD from Ohio State University in Mathematics. He was employed on the Apollo 11 Program by Bellcom as a Supervisor in the Math Department then transferred to AT&T Bell Research Labs at Murray Hill, New Jersey, transferred back to DC with Government Communications, then held a political appointment with the Carter administration as Deputy Administrator of Research and Special Programs at DOT, and retired from AT&T in 1998. He came out of retirement in 2003 to manage an Aerospace project for Lucent Technologies Integrated Solutions in El Segundo, California. He is a member of the ABA, held elected positions with IEEE, and member of Sigma Chi, Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Mu Epsilon Honorary Societies. He is listed in American Men of Science, Who's Who in America, Outstanding Young Men in America, Dictionary of International Biographies, and Community Leaders of America. He served as an International Representative to the ISO/IEC SC27 Standards Organization. He has been a resident of Capitol Hill DC off-and-on since 1965.

He was a member of Capitol Hill Christ Church, Washington D.C.

On June 2, 1972 he married Linda Hawkins at Berkeley Heights, New Jersey; she survives.

Other survivors include: Sharon Chester, Wichita, Marge Dohm, Oakley, Geraldine Van Eaton, Colby, Steve and Pam Van Eaton, Oakley, Bill and Linda Van Eaton, Monett, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Ron and Barbara.

Cremation has taken place, memorial graveside service will be 9:30 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2025 at Garfield Cemetery, Garfield, with Bishop Mark Cowell presiding.

Memorials may be given to Santa Fe Trail Center in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.