Ridgeley, WV - RIDGELEY, W.Va. [mdash] Lynn Dale Nelson, 85, of Ridgeley, W.Va., passed away at The Country House on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Born on April 17, 1940, in Cumberland, Md., he was the son of the late Joseph C. Nelson and Daisy E. (Myers) Nelson.

A 1958 graduate of Ridgeley High School, he attended Potomac State College, pursuing a degree in drafting. It was while "on the hill" that he met his future wife, Jane Rogers of Keyser. He continued his studies at Penn State, Altoona, where he obtained his degree.

He married Jane on June 17, 1962, and worked for Westvaco in Covington, Va., where they started a family.

While working for Westvaco, he transferred to the Westvaco Research Lab in Columbia, Md. While there, he participated in the National Guard and obtained a degree in business administration from the University of Maryland.

In 1970, he became the second-generation owner of Nelson Auto Sales in Ridgeley, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. After that, he spent his time with his rental properties and his beloved farms.

"Pye," as he was known to friends and family, donated and performed many works for his churches and his community. A 30-year member of the Ridgeley Lions Club, he held the title of president and received the prestigious Melvin Jones Award. He was a longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Ridgeley, where he sang with the choir and served in many positions. He and Jane led the church "Pairs and Spares" group on many fun and memorable trips. As a motor home enthusiast, they traveled to every state in the nation except Hawaii.

Pye loved to entertain and host parties, either at home or at their farm. He was a friend to all, and a mentor for many others.

Lynn was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jane Nelson; as well as his son-in-law and close friend, Barry Mason. He is survived by his son, Lynn A. Nelson and wife Suzanne, Short Gap; and his daughter, Susan N. Remaly and husband Lawrence, Ridgeley. Lynn is survived by four grandchildren, Diana (Mason) Webb and husband Addison, Newport News, Va.; Elizabeth (Mason) Cosner and husband Matt, Ridgeley; Michael Nelson, Ridgeley; and Nicole Nelson of Flagstaff, Ariz. He has three great-grandchildren, Macy and Jacob Cosner, and Jacqueline Webb. Extended family includes his brother, J. G. Nelson and wife Linda of Bethel Park, Pa.; as well as his brother-in-law and lifelong friend, John I. Rogers II and wife Judy of Keyser, W.Va.

The family will receive friends and neighbors at Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A., Cumberland, MD, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. A service will follow at 4 p.m., led by Pastor Lawrence Remaly of The Life Center for Sharing Life Ministries, Ridgeley.

There will be a private interment at Fort Ashby Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Country House and the personal caregivers Lynn had over these past several years: Colby Collins, Lynn Carder, Kim Guthrie, Becca Nightengale and Pepper Ridgeley.