Ray Aiden Nelson

NELSON, Ray Aiden, 78, born Oct. 7, 1942, in Hamilton, Bermuda, died Aug. 7, 2021. He was the oldest son of four children of missionary parents Carlyle A. and Thelma (Ray) Nelson. Ray graduated from Atlantic Union College (B.A.) in 1964; Andrews University Seminary (M.Div.) in 1968; and Loma Linda School of Public Health (M.S.P.H.) in 1973. Ray met Valerie Kay Schneider in 1970 in New York City while both were assisting with the music at a series of meetings. They were married Sunday, Aug. 1, 1971. Ray passed away six days after celebrating 50 years of marriage with Valerie. Ray and Val were a pastoral team for over 50 years in California, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine and Maryland. Ray’s passion for recovery ministry led him to develop an addiction recovery program that he continued to champion through his retirement. Preceding him in death are his parents Carlyle A. and Thelma (Ray) Nelson, and his younger brother, Carlyle Arthur Nelson. Surviving are his wife, Valerie (Schneider), of Fletcher, NC; one son, Vaughan Nelson (Nadine) of Lincoln, NE; two daughters, Renita Saliba (Glenn) of Clarendon Hills, IL, and Vanessa Hupp (Steve) of Bensalem PA; a brother, Harland Nelson (Frances) of Grovetown, GA; a sister, Meredith Silvers (Roger) of Manheim PA; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.