Tom Nelson

The services celebrating and honoring the life of Thomas Edward “Tom” Nelson, 59, of Enid, will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday September 8, 2026 in the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Devon Krause officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings, A life celebration home.

Thomas Edward “Tom” Nelson, 59, of Enid, Oklahoma, was born April 17, 1967, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Wayne and Joyce Nelson. He passed away on August 28, 2026. Tom graduated from Syracuse (Kansas) High School in 1985 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Fort Hays State University in 1989. He started his career in sports and radio with the Topeka Sizzlers of the Continental Basketball Association. He met his wife, Julie (Russell), while both were working in radio in Dodge City, Kansas. They married in 1997. In 2000, Tom helped start the Dodge City Legend, a professional basketball team and was serving as the team’s general manager when they won USBL championships in their inaugural season and again in 2003. In the fall of 2003, he moved to Enid after being asked to run the Oklahoma Storm. It was during those years in professional basketball that Tom and Julie welcomed their children, Joshua and Gabi. Tom was a devoted father who adored his children and loved attending their events. Tom began a lengthy career with Chisholm Trail Broadcasting (CTB) in 2005 as a salesman and sports broadcaster. Through his work at CTB and later with Skordle TV, he became well known and loved by coaches, players, and parents across northwest Oklahoma, and he received a number of Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters awards. He was proud to be named to the 8-Man Football Hall of Fame for his many years covering that sport. In 2010, Tom began voice-over work for Neptune GameTime and joined the company as a full-time salesman in 2018. He was a member of Enid Noon AMBUCS and served a term as president. He was generous with his time and talent, spending many Saturdays as the popular announcer for Miracle League baseball and annually introducing participants on the red carpet at A Night to Shine. In addition to the local sports he covered, Tom was an avid fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and Kansas State. He loved golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Tom’s voice will live on in GameTime messages at high school stadiums across the country.

Tom is survived by his wife Julie; his children Joshua and Gabi; mother Joyce; brothers Mike (Gwen) and Scott (Deanne); father and mother-in-Law Dean and Barbara Russell; sisters-in-Law Lori Sanchez (Sergio), Amy Clites (Tracy) and Megan Beggs (Rob); his nephews Paul (Brittany), Jacob, Ethan, Tanner, Caleb, Charlie, Saul, and Sergio; his nieces Haley (Travis), Alex (Justin), Lauren, and Sophia; his great-nephews and great-niece; and beloved pets Sadie and Josie.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Nelson.

The family suggests memorials to Blood Cancer United or Hospice Circle of Love.

The family invites friends to share memories at BrownCummings.com.