Richard Warner Nelson, 85, of Bethany, Oklahoma died peacefully at home on January 31, 2023. He was born July 17, 1937 in Sublette, Kansas to Uel Claude and Mabel Evelyn (Chaney) Nelson. He graduated from Sublette High School in 1955. Richard was a proud veteran of the United States Army where he served in Korea. He then married the love of his life, Ida Pauline Slocum on February 27, 1960 and they were married for 62 years. (Richard and Pauline were due to celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary this year.) While attending Bethany Southern Nazarene University, Richard began working at LeeWay Motor freight to support his family. Richard graduated SNU in 1970, with a degree in Theology. Richard continued to work at LeeWay Motor Freight and found his passion with the Teamsters Union. Richard was a 34-year member of the Teamsters Union and was elected as the Local 886 Teamsters President in 1995 and also served in Washington DC as the International Teamsters Vice President at Large and the National Freight Director until he retired in 2000. Richard loved the Lord and attended Bethany First Church of the Nazarene where he has been a member for many years. Richard and Pauline had 4 children together: Rodney, Cindy, Shawn, and Shelly. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rodney Nelson; granddaughter, Amber Bruce; and sister, Judy Carrillo. Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Pauline; daughters, Cindy Bruce and husband Rick, and Shelly Bensinger and husband Keith; son, Shawn Nelson and wife Cyndi; grandchildren, Kyle Bruce, Kaleb Bensinger, and Malcolm Bensinger; and great-grandchildren, Ali Bruce, Adi Bruce, Kamden Bruce, and Emersyn Bruce. Richard was a strong, kind, loving and supportive husband and father who loved his family deeply. There was nothing he wouldnt do to give his family the life he felt they deserved. Memorial service will be Friday, February 10, 2:00pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel, Bethany, OK. The family will be available to greet friends prior to the service. The service will be live streamed on this obituary page. . Memorial Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Friday, February 10, 2023 2:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 The service will be live streamed on his obituary page.