Modeal Nelson Jr

Modeal “Mo” Nelson Jr.’s life began at Bell Hospital, currently known as KU Medical Center, on Thursday, July 19, 1945.

Modeal Jr. was the first of five children born to Modeal Nelson Sr. and Allean Starr Nelson.

He grew up on Freeman Avenue, in the historic “Struggler’s Hill” community when cousins were like siblings, neighbors were like cousins and there were many.

Modeal Jr. attended Douglass Elementary, Northeast Jr. High and Sumner High School graduating in the “Class of 1963”. Science and especially math seemed to come easy to him. He served as Student manager on several of the athletic teams during his time at Sumner. Modeal Jr. attended Wichita State University, studying Engineering. In 1965, when he could no longer continue his post secondary studies,  he enlisted into the United States Air Force. During this period of the Viet Nam war, Modeal Jr. worked on and repaired military aircraft cameras.  He had deployments in Thailand and Mountain Home, Idaho. The snowy mountainous Idaho prompted him to take up downhill skiing. In 1969, after almost 4 years, he was Honorably discharged from the Air Force with the rank of Sergeant.

During Modeal Jr’s high school years and after, he worked janitorial jobs for Hawkins Janitorial and Freeman Janitorial. He worked at Byrd and Fletcher before his vocational aspirations led him to Garmin International which was his most rewarding employment. “Mo” started at Garmin doing janitorial duties until he was promoted to a position which combined his mathematical skills and his past Air Force knowledge calculating fuel for airplanes, moving and arranging airplanes in the hangar. After 17 years at Garmin, he retired  in 2023.

In March 2008, “Mo”, as he was affectionately called, married the love of his life and best friend, Wanda Hines. She sometimes called him “Honey and/or “Buddy”. He truly loved Wanda and being “Dad, Pops, Father and Pawpaw” to her 2 daughters and their families.

Modeal Jr.’s life ended where it began at the KU Medical Center 79 years, 8 months and 24 days later on Friday, April 25, 2025. He was preceded in death by both parents. 

While Modeal Jr. will be missed, memories of his life will be cherish by his loving and devoted wife, Wanda; daughters, LaShawn Carter (Charles), Toyia Alberty; grandchildren LaShawn “NeNe” Alberty, LaShaye Brooks, Dominek “Nick” Alberty, Shanae “Nae” Bland (Daniel “DJ”), Traymonz Bryant, Reginald “Reggie” Blackman Jr., Shawniece Pickett, Donnesha Moses, and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Thomas Nelson Sr. (Marva), Richard Nelson, Patrick Nelson; sister, Arnetta Peghee; 2 Aunts, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Modeal Nelson Jr, please visit our floral store.