15 Feb 2026 Person of the Month: Dennis L. Nelson

HOMETOWN:I grew up on a small farm near Amherst, Wis. I attended a one-room country school for grades 1 through 6. Our bus drove 9 miles to Waupaca for junior and high school.

Family: My wife is Donna K. Nelson, and we have three sons: Carl, Charles and Aaron. We also have five grandchildren.

Education: After graduation, I enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 1968, I joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Little Rock AFB in Jacksonville (Pulaski County). While in the Air Force, I learned how to repair radios at Keesler AFB at Biloxi, Miss. I was stationed there during Hurricane Camille in 1969. I was in Combat Control at LRAFB and was a paratrooper. I packed parachutes and repaired and maintained radio equipment that was used in the field for missions. For further education, I attended Arkansas College of Technology in Little Rock for 21 months and received an associate degree in electronics.

CAREER: I worked for years in construction and as a subcontractor building homes. Then I worked for Simplex Time Recorder, later called Simplex-Grinnell as an electronics technician. I was a lead inspector for fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, backflow preventer tester and a special systems inspector. I retired after 29 years of service.

Community activities: I attend Christian Life Church in Searcy. In 2017, I joined Unity Health Auxiliary as a volunteer. In June 2025, I was elected Auxiliary President. In addition to my duties as president, I serve in the Surgery/CCU Waiting Department and in the Materials Management Department. Previously, I served as vice president and as a member of the Leadership Council. Besides serving the Unity Health Auxiliary, I am also a member of the American Legion Post 106 in Searcy.

Before I started volunteering at Unity Health Auxiliary, I was unsure about it, but now I enjoy working with other volunteers and associates and simply making new friends.

If you are thinking of volunteering, it is a blessing. God has given us a purpose to serve and to share with others, while we give them great encouragement.