Frank LeRoy Nelson

Frank LeRoy Nelson passed away February 20, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado after a long battle with diabetes and complications of this disease. Frank was born in Norton, Kansas on November 23, 1954, to Billie and Patricia Worley Nelson. They moved to Gillette where Frank attended school and graduated from Campbell County High School in 1973. Right out of High School Frank went to work as a rough neck on a drilling rig. After only 2 weeks he was severely injured. He then attended Casper College for a short time where he met and married Monica (Kiki) McElles. To this union a child, Douglas Sherman was born December 2, 1974. They later divorced. Frank fell in love and married Marlys Braunstein Christophers on August 4, 1980. At this time, he welcomed three children Dawnette, Salome, and Phillip and treated them as his own. Frank worked various jobs throughout his career. He worked in the oil field in Gillette and Riverton, at a meat processing plant in Iowa and then after moving back to Gillette he went to work at the Gillette-News Record and print shops. He also started F.H.G Enterprises where he was a Funeral Transport for Wilson Memorial Chapel. Frank was a man of faith and was involved in many church activities. One of his great adventures of serving God was his trip to Africa, where he joined his church family in helping drill water wells. To this day he dreamed of eventually returning to Africa. Frank loved theatre both acting and watching stage performances. He volunteered at Gillette Public Access and was involved with AmeriCorps, Gillette Community Theatre, Buena Vista County Theatre, Family Life Player and Family Life Church. He enjoyed spending time with his dear friend John Simon and his church family. Frank made many trips to Flat Head Lake in Montana to get cherries. He spent many hours canning, making salsa, and green chili burritos. For several years he competed in the chili cook off (Grumpy’s Kitchen) and won numerous prizes. Those that knew him well knew he was an honest, generous and strong-willed individual. Frank would give a person in need the shirt off of his back. He is survived by his 4 children, Douglas Sherman of Sheridan, Dawnette of Carroll, Iowa, Salome of Sac City, Iowa, Phillip of Fort Collins, Colorado. Brothers Nyle (Linda), Byron (Jane) Nelson of Gillette, Wyoming, John (Deanna) Nelson of Douglas, Wyoming and 8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

Services will be on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. February 29, 2024, at the Family Life Church with Marty Crump officiating.