Stephen Walter Nelson

Stephen Walter Nelson of Atlanta, Georgia - but living in Mesa, Arizona - passed in the hospital after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer and other illnesses. He was 72.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia to Mrs. June Nelson (Harris) and Mr. Walter F Nelson Jr., Stephen attended school at: North Spring High School State (Class of 1972), Riverside Military Academy (Class of 1972), Grady High School (1975), Georgia State University, and, after arriving in Arizona around the age of 19, he attended Arizona State University gaining a bachelor's degree.

For a time, Stephen worked as a bouncer and concert security in clubs due to being 6 '1 and 220 lbs., but soon found himself behind a desk in the insurance agency. His passion to drive and the club industry being too strong, he decided to start a small transportation company like “Yellow Cab” but with “White Lincoln Town Cars” instead - dark suits/ dressed up drivers and an attention to detail, privacy of customers and comfort soon won him top slots at car stands all over the valley.

In 2010, Stephen married the love of his life, his wife “Alene”. They bought a couple more town cars and an escalade and leased them to day and night drivers. For over a decade while Stephen drove, Alene dispatched and worked for Fed Ex, until Uber and Lyft came to the valley. And, even though they still had the business, several accidents with their other drivers - causing their deaths - took place. In 2020 it was clear that it was time to retire!

Stephen was also known around Scottsdale - his main driving pick-up locations - as: Stephen, Scuba Steve, BP (or Bent Peter) named after the style of his favorite type of tobacco smoking pipe, and probably others.

Outside of his career as a professional driver, Stephen and his wife, Alene (who was a Peace Officer and security guard in Northern California), enjoyed a hobby of collecting and shooting firearms together, either alone or with friends. While his wife is more tactically trained, Stephen was a member of a couple of the local competitive/ competition shooting clubs based out of Tempe, Arizona. He was also an avid hunter.

Some of the other clubs and organizations Stephen involved himself with in the past, and still present, are: The Phoenix Hash House Harriers (Running Club), The United States Judo Federation, The United States National Judo Association, Shin-Gi-Tai Judo Club, US Rowing, Team Arizona Dirtbike School, El Zaribah Tempe AAONMS of Phoenix, Arizona, El Zaribah Shrine Go-Kart Unit, Tempe Charter #18 Order of the Eastern Star, Chandler-Thunderbird #15 Free And Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry S.J.U.S.A, Valley of: Phoenix the Orient of: Arizona, and East Valley Corvette Club.

Stephen loved very much to travel with his wife, Alene, and over the first decade of their marriage they traveled to all of the historical and haunted spots in the state of Arizona. They also made sure they went for their wedding and anniversary, and every spring to their favorite place on Earth - The place Stephen carefully planned their elopement with the help of his mother: Saint Andrews State Park, located at the beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida. Married September 23, 2010 at full moonrise during autumn equinox beachside with the ocean waves lapping their toes, every year they snorkeled, scuba dived, swam with the dolphins and barracuda up and down the Keys, and visited Aunt Susan. Other favorite trips of Stephen’s were Senoia, Georgia/ The Walking Dead movie set, and hiking the Grand Canyon and the Grand Canyon train. Stephen also loved riding his vintage Honda Valkerie motorcycle/ rode cruiser with friends, and as a couple in groups they went to Tombstone, Carstern Caverns, and several other places, as they did with their C4 Corvettes.

Stephen is survived by his beloved wife, Alene, and children by age, Marissa Rich, Brandon Knapp, Cierra McHughes, Morgan Brown, Ariana Gallagher, Stephen Nelson Jr., and two grandchildren, Charles McHughes and Charlotte Rich, his sister, Ms. Christine Blum, step-brother, John Hunter, Aunt Susan Gonzales, and several other aunts, step-cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and relatives.

He is preceded in death by his mother, June Weitnauer, and his father, Walter F. Nelson, as well as his step-fathers, John P. Hunter and John H. Weitnauer, and several step-siblings.

Please join us for a Masonic Funeral on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 AM at Chandler-Thunderbird Masonic Lodge #15 Free and Accepted Masons: 88 W Erie St., Chandler, AZ 85225. A light lunch will be served in the reception hall at approximately 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Dress code: Semi-formal/ day. No photography or live streaming.