David Nelson Nelson

David Nelson Nelson aka David “Buffalo Bill” Nelson age 67 of Walland, TN previously from Vero Beach, FL and Dubuque, IA, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. David was a retired physical therapist who worked at many East Tennessee therapy clinics. For 20 years prior, he was the Administrator and Chief Physical Therapist at Sunshine Physical Therapy Clinic in Vero Beach, FL. He was a very caring the gifted physical therapist. David enjoyed fishing, camping, and drawing. He was a prolific writer and has authored several books. David was also The Cowboy Poet Laureate of Tennessee and a 2016 inductee into the Dubuque Senior High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He loved to tell stories (lies) and make people laugh. He was preceded in death by: Parents, Gayl and Jeanne Nelson; Father-in-law and good friend, Leonard Merfeld; Brother, Charles. Survivors include: Wife, Jean (Merfeld) Nelson; Mother-in-law, Eileen Merfeld; Sisters, Margaret Tyler (Richard), Jeanne Halterman (Steve), and Jane Nelson; Brothers, Richard Nelson (Charlotte) and Phillip Nelson; Sisters-in-law, LuAnn Faber (James), Deb Straub (Grant), Chris Sheldon (Mark), and Jane Sauser (Ray); numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins. He will also be remembered by his many lifelong friends and cohorts. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Smith Funeral & Cremation Service in the name of David Nelson. Family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 PM, Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Smith East Hall. Services in Dubuque, IA will be announced at a later date. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David Nelson Nelson please visit our Sympathy Store.