Wayne Edward Nelms was born December 29, 1930 in Mattoon, Illinois.  He died February 17, 2018, at age 87, in Florence, Colorado under hospice care due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, I.B. Nelms, his mother, Olive Morgan Nelms, his brothers Richard and Leland Nelms, his son Alan Nelms and fishing buddy Jimmy Slane.   Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Sylvia; brother Howard (Doreen), sisters Shirley Hale, Sharon Fox and Sandi Ellison; children Barbara, Brenda and Darin Nelms, Kelly Richards and Mike Burson; as well as beloved  grandchildren and great grandchildren and long-time friends Ed Adair and Art Velasquez.

Wayne served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.  He enlisted at the age of 17 with his life-long friend, Ed Adair. 

His B.A. degree was earned from Eastern Illinois University, his M.A. from Cal-Poly, his Ed.D.  from Northern Illinois University.  Wayne taught elementary school for many years, was principal of a school for troubled teens, Assistant Professor of Special Education at Adams State College, and English teacher at SdeC High School.   

To honor his wishes, there will be no funeral.  Wayne will be buried at Home Lake Veteran’s Cemetery in Monte Vista, Colorado.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home, Alamosa, Colorado.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, Canon City, Colorado and Donna K. Ditmore’s Cat Welfare, Alamosa, Colorado.

Wayne was a fun-loving, generous and kind gentleman and will be dearly missed.