George Howard Nelson

A memorial service for George Howard Nelson, 89, of Lubbock, who died May 8, 2026, will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4600 48th Street, with Rev. Becky Fox officiating. For those unable to attend, the service can be livestreamed at the following link: www.covenantpresbylbk.com. A reception will follow at the Phi Gamma Delta Lodge, 1414 Orlando Ave., Lubbock. Private interment will precede the service. George was born December 12, 1936, in Lubbock to G. H. (Hobert) and Aileen Hackney Nelson. He graduated from Lubbock High School in 1954, earned a B.A. in Government from Texas Tech University in 1958, and received his law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1961. He married his high school sweetheart, Joe Love Stogner, on August 31, 1957. Licensed in 1961, George served as an Assistant District Attorney in Lubbock until 1965, then entered private practice as a third-generation attorney, including more than 20 years in practice with his daughter, Elizabeth. He was named Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Lubbock County Bar Association, later serving as its president, and held leadership roles in state and regional trial and young lawyer organizations. A member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, he served as president of its West Texas Chapter and was a Fellow of the ABOTA Foundation. He served on the Texas Tech Law School Foundation Board and was a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, received the Meritorious Pro Bono Service Award, and was honored with the Justice James G. Denton Distinguished Lawyer Award (2014). After 50 years of practice, he led the Lubbock Private Defenders' Office (2012-2016) before returning to private practice. George was active in faith, civic, and fraternal service throughout his life, including more than 50 years with MacKenzie Lodge (a 32nd Degree Mason and charter member of the Lubbock Scottish Rite Temple). A charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, he served as an elder and Sunday School teacher, and he was also active in the Lubbock Lions Club. His community leadership included service with the Lubbock Urban Renewal Agency, Lubbock Traffic Commission, Community Health Center of Lubbock capital campaign, United Way, Crossroads Samaritan Counseling Center, and KOHM Radio, as well as the Southwest Lubbock Pony League and the Lubbock High School Alumni Association. He was a longtime member of the Red Raider Club and Texas Tech Alumni Association. George enjoyed music, art, baseball, and golf; he composed and performed original songs, including one that he performed in a talent contest at Lubbock High beating, among others, Buddy Holly. In addition to composing music, George created several bronze works. A devoted Phi Gamma Delta member, he advised the Texas Tech chapter for many years, served on the international governing board, and received multiple national honors for distinguished service and chapter advising. George was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and his sisters, Mary Sue Johnson and Willella Nabors. He is survived by his brother, Bert A. Nelson of Lubbock; his sons, Eric and Henry John of Lubbock; his daughters, Elizabeth (Kirby Mauldin) of Lubbock and Margaret Keith of Charlotte, North Carolina; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church Choir Scholarship Fund (4600 48th Street, Lubbock, TX 79414); Women's Protective Services of Lubbock (P.O. Box 54089, Lubbock, TX 79453); Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation-George Nelson (P.O. Box 4599, Lexington, KY 40544-4599); or Community Health Center of Lubbock (CHCL) Capital Campaign Fund (Joe Love & George Nelson Exam Room), 1313 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401.

George Howard Nelson

December 12, 1936 - May 8, 2026