USAF ROTORHEAD Members

Kathleen (Kathy) F. Nelson

Helicopter Mechanic

1977 – 1978, at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ. with the 432nd AGS on CH-3’s.

1978 – 1980, at RAF Woodbridge, UK. with the 67 ARRS on HH-53’s.

1979 – 6 mo TDY at Kirtland AFB, NM. on the MH-53 Pave Low.

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~ REST IN PEACE ~

Kathy F. Nelson, USAF
February 14, 1956 – January 31, 2025

Kathleen F. Nelson born February 14, 1956 in Lynwood, California, the middle child of the late Edward L. Teigen and Janice M. Mapes. Kathleen was a 1974 graduate of Excelsior High School in Norwalk, CA, during which time she enjoyed, surfing, cruising Whittier Blvd with her girls, & after a dare from her brother, “Rusty”, she entered in the Miss Norwalk Pageant.

In 1976, she entered the U.S. Air Force where she proudly was the only female helicopter mechanic in her unit. She was stationed in Arizona when she met & married Larry E. Nelson of Johnson City, TN. Together they traveled all over Europe on a month-long bus tour before Kathi returned to California in 1980 for the birth of her first daughter, Chandra Minna. A second daughter, Crystal Marie joined the family in 1983 while stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

A highlight of her military career was having her photo taken with Gen. Robert E. Huyser, commander in chief, Military Aircraft Commander in1978 upon the 1st launch of the 1st Pave Low Birds (MH 53 helicopters) ever created. She left the military in 1980 just prior to the birth of Chandra, & after the birth of her 2nd daughter Crystal, the family returned stateside to Palm Bay, FL.

In 1988, Kathi, relocated to California to raise her daughters in the Norwalk/Cerritos area. In 1994, she relocated to New Windsor, NY to help her sister, Jana Papazian, take care of her 7-year-old nephew Eric, who lost his battle with brain cancer just before the age of 8. In 2002, Kathi returned once again to California to care of her mother Janice, & then in 2009, Kathi and Janice moved to North Carolina to be closer to her daughters as they aged. In 2017, her mother passed away & she moved. a final time, to Greeneville, TN where Crystal was located with her husband & 3 children.

Kathleen F. Nelson lived in Greeneville, TN until her passing on January 31, 2025, at Durham-Hensley. She was surrounded by her daughters and her eldest granddaughter. She was feisty, sarcastic & always available to take care of family. She leaves behind her daughters, Chandra & Crystal, their spouses, Chris & Coy as well as 8 grandchildren: Sean, Minna, Allie, Kaitlyn & Christopher in Kings Mountain, NC, in addition to Skyana, Connor & Caleb of Greeneville, TN.

The family will receive family only at 1pm, & all others will be received at 3pm on Saturday, February 15th, 2024 at the home of her daughter Crystal. Any donations for final wishes, flowers, plants, cards, etc. can be sent to: McFarland Homestead, 8855 107 Cutoff, Greeneville, TN 37743

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Larry Nelson

Sorry to say we have lost another Rotor Head.

Kathy Tegan Nelson passed away the night of Friday January 31, 2025. After basic training in 1976. She was first stationed at Davis Monthan AFT in Arizona and worked on CH-3E Drone Recovery birds from 1977 to 1978. From there she went to RAF Woodbridge UK working on their CH-53C. While there she was TDY to Kirtland AFB where she was a crew chief on the first few MH-53J Pave Low 3, fresh out of the modification.

She left Woodbridge for civilian life in 1980. She will be missed.