Blacksmith Community Saddened by Loss of Jud R. Nelson

Subject:

Jud R. Nelson

Died Monday June 6, 2011 at age 99

Jud R. Nelson passed away Monday afternoon June 6th at the Gordon Health Care Center. Jud was 99 years old. He was born June 23, 1911 in Cherokee County, the son of the late Bill and Cleo Nelson. Jud was a long-time resident of Gordon County, living in Sugar Valley for 75 years.

Jud attended the first gathering of blacksmiths in Lumpkin, Ga in 1973 and was a founding member of ABANA. In 1989 he was awarded the Bealer Award for his work in promoting and preserving the art and craft of blacksmithing.

ABANA Founding Members 1973

Jud is second from the left in this photo of ABANA founding members taken at the blacksmith shop at Westville Village in Lumpkin, Ga in 1973

Jud Nelson 2003 at Madison

Jud shown here in a 2003 photo with Elizabeth Brim taken at the 2003 Southeastern Regional Blacksmith Conference held in Madison, Georgia.

Sadly Jud passed away early Monday Afternoon June 6, 2011 just 17 days short of his 100th Birthday.

Here is a link to his obiturary:

OBITUARY Jud R. Nelson

Next time you light a fire in your forge, take a moment to reflect on Jud's life, accomplishments, and contributions to the blacksmithing community and also those other smiths you know that have passed on as well.