M. G. "BUBBER" NELSON

M.G. "Bubber" Nelson, 97, of Panama City, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. He was born January 13, 1914 in Panama City to Frank M. & Helena Olivia Appelberg Nelson. Bubber graduated from Bay High School in 1931. In 1937, Bubber joined his father at Nelson Buick Company. The next year, he became a director at Commercial Bank, becoming President and Chairman of the Board in 1945. Bubber organized and chartered two independent banks in Bay County, the Springfield Commercial Bank and the Lynn Haven Commercial Bank. He was past president of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Florida Bankers Association, past president of the Florida Automobile Association, past director of the Southern Company and was past director of the Atlanta and St. Andrew Bay Railway Company. He was one the original members of the Panama City Airport Authority and was a longtime supporter of the University of Florida . Bubber was very involved in the community, serving in organizations such as the Salvation Army, Panama City Rescue Mission, United Cerebral Palsy, Anchorage Children's Home and was one of the organizers of the United Way of Bay County. He was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Panama City where he was the first Paul Harris Fellow recipient. He was also past president of the Elks Club and was a member of the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Panama City, where he served as a deacon for 40 years before becoming Deacon Emeritus. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Wing "Bobby" Nelson; four brothers, Frank Nelson Jr., Hugh Nelson, Louis Ike Nelson, Warren Nelson and two sisters, Helen Olivia Williams and Kathleen Blakely. He is survived by his daughter, Gretchen Nelson Scott Vann and husband, Leroy of Panama City; son, Marion G. Nelson Jr. and wife, Donna of Springfield, IL; three grandsons, James Carey Scott III and fiancé, Nancy Healey, Marion Nelson Scott and wife Lee; Mark G. Nelson; granddaughter, Tricia Nelson Becker and husband, John; nine great grandchildren, Elizabeth A. Scott, Nelson W. Scott, Marion Nelson Scott Jr., Margaret Lee Scott, Julian McArthur Scott, Duncan Merck Scott, Ryan Nelson Becker, Megan Brooke Becker, Rachel Jane Becker; brother, Karl Nelson and wife, Aimee Jo of Panama City; and one sister, Hazel Hawkins and husband, John of Pensacola, FL. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Panama City with Dr. Richard Watson officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. Those desiring may make memorial donations to the First Presbyterian Local Help Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. 7th St., Panama City, FL 32401 in memory of Bubber Nelson.

Wilson Funeral Home