Phillip Todd Nelson was born in Kankakee, IL on December 27, 1960. He grew up in Kankakee and moved to Naples, Florida in his twenties for 10 years. He returned to Illinois where he lived for the majority of his life. Phil and his family recently moved to Harbor City, California. It’s here where he passed from complications of congestive heart failure, on April 10, 2023 at 7:28 AM Pacific Time.

Phil was a man of many interests. He was a fireman at Joliet Lewis College where he graduated with a B.A. He was a police officer In Grant Park, IL. He spent his time in Florida doing construction until he returned to Lincoln, IL. It’s here where he studied at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. He became an Ordained Minister and was employed by the state of Illinois as a traumatic brain injury counselor for 25 years.

Phil reunited and married his high school sweetheart Beth Brockway in Naples, Florida on June 3, 1995. They share two children together and Beth’s son. Beyond spending time with his family, Phil had a passion for deep sea fishing and was involved with the Boy Scouts of America Troop #111 out of Lincoln, IL. He had a great sense of humor and was an excellent teacher to his children. Phil was an artist and loved to draw pieces with graphite for his children. He was a terrific father. He was also a lifelong dedicated Green Bay Packers fan.

Phil is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Elizabeth (Brockway); his children, Holly and Gabe Nelson and his stepson, Brock Satterwhite; his sister Kelly (Tom) Lyons; both his parents are deceased; Patricia (Oakes) Sandlin and James Walter Nelson.

Scattering at sea, Celebration of life will be on July 22, 2023, at 9:30 AM, at Long Beach, CA with Captain Johnney Lee. The service will be at 330 South Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA, 90802. The Minister conducting this service is Rick Colbert.