Delbert W. "Red" Nelson

Delbert W. “Red” Nelson, 88, of Haskell, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Abilene. A visitation will be held from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Haskell Funeral Home, 2 Avenue D. A funeral service will be held at 10:00am, on Friday, June 12, 2026 at East Side Baptist Church in Haskell with Rev. Terry Bunch officiating. Graveside Service will follow at 3:00pm in Andrews Cemetery, Andrews, Texas under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home, 2 Ave D. Condolences may be made at www.haskellfuneralhometx.com.

Red was born June 10, 1937, in Hope, Arkansas, to the late Delbert W. Nelson Sr and Geraldine Rhea McCullough Nelson. He was a veteran of the United States Army and honorably served his country. He was a faithful member of the East Side Baptist Church in Haskell and was an avid believer in Jesus Christ, who he affectionately called “JC.”

Red spent 31 years working as a boilermaker out of Raymond, Illinois, before retiring. He was a proud member of the Boilermakers Local 363 Union for 60 years, a testament to his strong work ethic and dedication to his trade.

On April 2, 2000, he married the love of his life, Tinka Herricks, in Rochester, Texas. Together they shared a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure until her passing on June 24, 2017.

Red was as onery as he was sweet and often said that life is what you make it. He was passionate about the things he loved and deeply devoted to his family. He and Tinka enjoyed traveling in their RV and competing in cook-offs, earning many awards and creating countless memories along the way. Red never met a stranger, was quite a jokester, and loved sharing his cooking with neighbors, friends, and family. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. More than anything, Red will be remembered for his generous heart, adventurous spirit, his story telling and the love he had for those around him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Tinka Herricks Nelson; son, Ricky Reeves; sister, Janice Sue Spitz; and brother, Carl Eugene Nelson.

Red is survived by children Tammy and Scott Madden of Weinert, Todd Herricks and Tina and David Adams of Haskell; daughter-in-law, Barbette Wills and Casey of Seguine; grandchildren, Ricky Reeves Jr, Laci Stamm, Hannah Zunker, Tiffany Loving, Josh Kimmel, Colton Kimmel, Jacob Herricks, Sara and Layne Hutchens, Shawn Duncan, Ashley and Sam Shirley, Kylie and Cameron Duvall; great grandchildren, Ily and Emery Stamm, Finley and Ladd Zunker, Lucas and Dean Reeves, Shelby Stiewert, Shyler Loving, Carter Shirley, Hudson Shirley, Kollyns Duvall, Colter Duvall, Stetson Duncan, Leighton Duncan; great great granddaughter, Brae Buerger; sisters, Barbara Jenkins and Andy of Haskell, and Linda Scoggins of Andrews; brother, James O Nelson of Jordanton; nephews, Carl Swinford, Delbert Swinford, Cody and Shelby Swinford, Dusty and Kelly Swinford, Darren Scoggins, David Scoggins, and Darrell Scoggins; great niece, Hazel Grace Swinford; extended family and a host of dear friends.