Philip Stephen Nelson

Philip Stephen Nelson, 70, of Winston-Salem, NC, got his umpire wings on December 30, 2025.

Phil was born in Brooklyn, NY, on October 9, 1955, to Harry Nelson and Arnhild Elise (Tonnesen) Nelson. The family moved to Staten Island, NY, in 1960, where Phil graduated from Susan E. Wagner High School in 1973. He graduated with a degree in Computer Science from SUNY Potsdam in 1977 (before the Internet)!

After college, Phil lived in Atlanta, GA, and Somerville, NJ, before moving to Newark, NY. Phil met Kay Chrislaw in Janesville, WI, when they both worked for Seneca Foods. Phil and Kay were married on September 11, 1987, in Newark, NY. They moved to Winston-Salem, NC, in July 1993 to work for Sara Lee, Hanes Brands, Inc., and retired in January 2023 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC.

Phil was a strong advocate for his son, Craig, and the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities population.

He loved umpiring Little League baseball games in New York and North Carolina for 33 years. Phil loved sports and followed the New York Mets and Wake Forest University. Phil and Craig attended many Wake Forest University volleyball and women's basketball games.

The family took a trip this past summer to Williamsport, PA, to watch the Little League Challenger Exhibition game on August 23, 2025. Our first tip to Williamsport was when Craig played in the Challenger game in August 2012 with a team from SouthWest Forsyth Little League, Clemmons, NC.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Arnhild Nelson; brothers-in-law, Tom Schulz and Tom Sheil; and the family cats, Deacon, Angel, and Jackie.

He is survived by his wonderful, loving wife, Kay; his beloved son, Craig; and his loving sister, Audrey Nelson-Sheil. Additionally, he is survived by cousins, Robert Gundersen, Dorothy Gundersen Shofner, Lorraine and Michael Knudson, Joanne Knudson, Hannah Knapp, Roy and Chiaki Knudson, and Carl Knudson; and close friends Jeff Speas, Calvin Harris, Mike Petusky, and Bob Coleman.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Trinity Methodist Church, 3919 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104. Phil would like everyone to wear their favorite sporting team attire to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Special Olympics of Forsyth County, 2301 N Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.