Jonathan Corey Nelson

Closing Time, every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end…

Jonathan Corey Nelson was born on January 11, 1986, although it was in Austin, TX he did not “Keep it Weird” as his values more traditionally rooted to family.

He grew up in Gulf Breeze, Florida and attended Gulf Breeze High School, where like his younger brother, he played football. Unlike most kids who would spend their summers on the beach, he traveled to Lake Charles to help his grandmother run her diner, KD’s. He was a perfect gentleman, he cooked, cleaned, and did the dishes, or anything else that needed done, earning “Golden Child” status.

He took pride in the legacy his grandparents established with the restaurant, he began attending McNeese State University, majoring in business. He was the quiet type, but he never missed sharing his infectious smile with you as you entered. He was always zipping around, whether it was busing tables, taking orders or cooking, he got in where he fit in, which was everywhere. His signature dish “Southern Chicken on Hash” became such a sensation and staple order, it was permanently added to the menu along with “The Rafferty”, named after one of his best friends. He was easy like Sunday morning; he was patient, kind, and had a loving heart.

2015 marked his biggest accomplishment, becoming a father to his daughter Layla. Although he loved his restaurant, it goes without saying he loved her the most. He was very involved in her life, spending many hours with her swimming in the pool, or taking her to the family camp fishing, or just enjoying a day on the floor playing with her many toys.  

His life came to a close on Monday, June 14, 2021, and he was welcomed into Heaven with a greeting like no other by his little brother, Gabriel Keenan Yates; maternal grandmother, Beverly Pittman; paternal grandparents Freida & Huey P. Nelson and grandparents, Nathan & Nell Yates, and an uncle, Nathan Yates.

Those left to cherish his memory, and forever enjoy the “Southern Chicken on Hash”; his beloved daughter, Layla Nelson and her mother Gabrielle Garrido; mother Missy Yates; dad, Huey Witt Nelson; father, James Keenan Yates; his siblings, Kristin Yates, Allyson (Jeremy) McAbee, Matthew P. Nelson, and Victoria A. Nelson; nieces and nephews, Chase, Lilly, Liam, Azlynn, Levi, and Ainsley; his grandfather Tiny Pittman; uncle, Jake (Rhonda) Pittman, Oscar Nelson; aunt, Cynthia G. Nelson; and his cousin Jacob Pittman; his lifelong friends, Danny McBride, Ben Birch, and Tim Rafferty, and all of his KD’s family.

The family will welcome friends at University Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, beginning at 10am until time of service. A celebration of his life will begin at 3pm led by Zack Rodriquez.

Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning's end…

Cremation has been entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home.