Joseph Michael Nelson

Joseph Michael Nelson was born on April 1st, 1995 in Manhattan, Kansas, to Daniel S. Nelson and Dedra K. Barwick. Joey ended his earthly life on November 26, 2016.

He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Junction City Middle School, Junction City High School and graduated from the Larry Dixon Center on May 17, 2013. During high school Joey worked at Mr. Goodcents and later accepted employment at Pizza Hut in Junction City and Houston, Texas. He was employed at the Tyme Out Steak House in Junction City at the time of his passing.

Joey had many things that he was passionate about, but the highlights were his love for family and his unique ability to bring smiles and even downright laughter to family and friends even during the most serious moments in life.

Joe developed a love of fishing and camping out in elementary school. When asked during high school what he wanted to do in life, his instant reply was "I want to be a professional fisherman". His grandpa Barwick often joked he wore out his pickup taking Joe and his best friend Harley (Haley) Salada to one of the nearby rivers to fish and camp out. Joey and Haley kept in touch with Grandpa, but would camp out on the river bank and fish for one to three days at a time.

Joe had a love for children and disadvantaged kids. As a high school graduation requirement of 35 hours of community service, Joe chose child care where he endeared himself to the kids and one of his favorite teachers, Mrs. Tumey. Often when Joe went shopping with a member of his family some small child would run up to him with a hug and a warm greeting, sometimes to the bewilderment of the child's parent. Once Joe and the child explained their relationship from what they referred to as "school" you would see happy faces all around. Joe befriended many disadvantaged kids throughout his life and would drag them home to "hang out", eat and play video games. Joe earned the nickname of Laid Back Joe as a toddler. He would lend a helping hand to anyone that needed him.

Joe's infectious personality carried him through life. In high school developed a strong relationship with his favorite teacher Mrs. Drake and his principal Mr. Wesoloski. Joe scrambled the last few weeks of high school to finish graduation requirements. That happy day happened on May 12, 2013. Joe hurried home to share the news that he was through with school forever. When asked if he was going to the normal graduation ceremony at the high school, Joe refused. Grandpa, Mr. Wesoloski and Mrs. Drake conspired and got it approved for a special graduation ceremony at the Dixon Center where Joe attended. Mr. Wesoloski made programs, found a cap and gown and Mrs. Drake provided refreshments for the one graduate, Joe Nelson. This ceremony was attended by all of his immediate family and classmates still working on their school requirements. Joe walked on cloud nine that day and for many weeks thereafter.

Joe was preceded in death by his Grandma, Diana Barwick and his Aunt Marcella Barwick.

Joe leaves behind his Parents, Danny and Dedra; his sister, Marcella and her husband Stephen Hearn and nephew Aaron Hearn of Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota,; his Brother, Noah Wilcox of Junction City, KS; his Grandpa Clif Barwick; Grandpa and Grandma Dan and Sylvia Nelson all of Junction City, KS; his uncle Chris Nelson and his wife Rhianna Nelson and nieces Charleigh and Rylee, Manhattan, Kansas, his Uncle Justin Barwick of Platte City, MO; the family God Daughter, Tascha Just of Santa Fe, NM and aunt Jeanne Jenkins, as well as many other loved ones and a myriad of friends with special mention of his close friends, Harley Salada and Alex Simmons.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home with Pastor Ronnie Roberts officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Joseph Nelson Memorial Fund, sent in care of the Penwell-Gabel Junction City Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, KS 66441.