Robert Bruce Nelsen

NELSEN - Robert Bruce Nelsen, 66, of Crowley, Texas, departed this life on Monday, January 12, 2026, at his home surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born November 4, 1959 in Central Islip, New York, to Louis and Lillian Nelsen, where his lifelong tall-tale adventures first began. At age 10, his family moved to Kissimmee, Florida before their final move to Texas, where he graduated in 1978 from Everman High School, making life-lasting friendships. Robert met the love of his life, Sandra Karen Keene and the two were married. They would celebrate the next 45 years together, building a beautiful family with the addition of their three loving daughters, Jennifer, Amanda, and Brandy. One of Robert’s most cherished titles was ‘Papa’ to his 8 grandchildren, and great-grand daughter. The meaningful experiences and memories he created have instilled strong family values and life lessons that each child will carry with them for a lifetime. To know Robert was to know a strong, determined, and unwavering individual, who wanted only the best experience of life for himself, his fellow friends, and family. If you called on Robert for advice there was never a simple answer without a crazy story to accompany. He was a tactical risk-taker; acquiring his wrecker service and mechanic shop in the 1980’s, later expanding his business ventures to include renting U-hauls and opening his full-service gas station, Robert’s Diamond Shamrock in Burleson, Texas. His portfolio continued to grow to owning land and rental properties, taking his legendary Monopoly and Risk strategies from boardgames to reality. Robert’s business, Consolidated Services, defined the range of his expansive skill-set. In his free time, Robert loved traveling to Colorado, amongst other places where he shared lessons on history, adventure, and appreciation for the world around him. Robert’s journey was an odyssey marked by growth, resilience, and self-discovery. He didn't simply live life, he crafted countless tales and we are all lucky enough to be the supporting characters in his grand narrative. Through trials and tribulations, he remained thoughtful, engaged, and loving to all that gathered around him. He was deeply loved and cared for until his last breath. Robert is survived by his compassionate and adoring wife, Sandra Nelsen; daughters Jennifer (Michael) Thomas, Amanda (Ernest) Cox, and Brandy (Calvin) Dominguez; grandchildren who were each his favorite: Tristan, Kiyana, Brycen, Tycen, Ryleigh, Abygail, Levi, Amelia, and great-granddaughter, Sariah; six siblings of which two he shared a close relationship, brother Dale (Rhonda) Nelsen, and sister Virginia (Zach) Reed. His memory will be cherished by those who knew him, for he was a role model to all, a teacher to many, and friend to everyone; Robert never met a stranger. He is preceded in death by his parents including his “momer”, Lillian Fallon Mather on April 02, 2017. She instilled the fierce intensity that Robert always portrayed. His beloved donkey and kindred spirit, Beauregard who left a void after his passing June 28, 2023. This was no ordinary donkey, he loved to be handfed fruits and vegetables, and most of all he was so loving that he always gave kisses to Robert. Their bond was truly one of a kind, with each trying to prove who was the biggest ass. In remembrance of Robert, we honor a life defined by curiosity, intelligence, courage, and heart. His story does not end here, it lives on through the knowledge and love he shared, the questions he asked and answered, and the path he helped illuminate for others. In his early childhood, prior to age 9, Robert and his family attended Chabad in New York, instilling his Jewish faith. He remained devoted until his passing. Later in life he began on a journey of spiritual reconstruction at Cowtown Chabad. Robert was called to the Torah as Eliyahu Ben Avraham. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Chabad of Fort Worth or Chabad of Southlake. “Zichrono Livracha” May his memory be for a blessing

Robert Bruce Nelsen

November 4, 1959 - January 12, 2026