David Charles Nelson, 85, passed from this earth and joined a higher band on the eve of the winter solstice, 12/20/21, at his home in Crestone. Many in the El Rito and Questa area know him through his longtime music connections in the area. David’s life began on March 20, 1936, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of John Griffith Nelson and Helen May Perrill Nelson.

David left Iowa for New York City to become a beatnik and professional musician. Over the years he excelled at many instruments, including piano, clarinet, and saxophone. He was also an artist, cartoonist, and editor. He founded and edited a number of publications, including the Solid Muldoon in the early 1970s in Denver, the Broccoli Gazette in Silver City, NM, and The Wren newsletter in Bisbee, AZ. David was the founder of a hot springs community in the Mimbres Valley, NM. He was also interested in holistic architecture and worked on a project called the “Big Ditch Park” in Silver City. He lived for several years in Santa Fe, NM where he produced and co-hosted a radio show on alternative cultural issues and did marketing for a business consciousness organization.

He is survived by his domestic partner Jane Kwan of Crestone, CO; his daughter Jennifer of Albuquerque, NM; his sister Kris (Bob) Beer of Thornton, CO; as well as nephews Mike, Cam, Kevin, and Tim Claney; niece Tania Schramm, and nephew Sean Harrison. David leaves behind many friends and community members in many places. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Carol Nelson Claney.

Cremation was chosen and services will be announced at a later date. Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa, CO is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, words of comfort or remembrances for David’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com. To plant a tree in memory of David Charles Nelson, please visit https://tree.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=23454225&source=ta2&taph=2