Nelson Lysle Tower, Jr., was born April 6, 1924, in Miami, Florida, the only son of the late Nelson Lysle Tower, Sr., and Dorothy EveringhamBuzzard.

Nelson had many loves in life, but among the top three were his family and friends, sailing, and flying. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, he spent many days sailing in the Florida Keys and as soon as he was able, he took flying lessons while he was in high school. Toward the end of WWII he enlisted in the US Navy and was commissioned as an aviator and instructor in the American Theatre. After the war he returned to Miami and eventually started Liberty Aviation at Tamiami Airport. His flying career culminated when he joined Eastern Airlines in 1955. Nelson always said he experienced the best of aviation from the small private planes to prop jets to the jumbo jets.

While he was in the Navy he married Jeanne M. Moreno and had four children: Barbara Tower, Susie Tower Stern (husband, Michael), Nelson Lysle Tower III (wife, Patricia), and Desiree Tower Simpson (husband, Kevin). He later married Christine Turick who predeceased him. He loved his kids and was the kind of Dad who also imbued his love for flying, travel, and sailing in them. Perhaps even better than kids, were grandkids! How he loved Zach, Chelsea, Lysle IV, and Jackie. Some of his fondest memories were when he was a soccer, gymnast, or ballet Grandpa! There were so many family trips which were sources of great fun and memories: river rafting snow skiing ("just call him Jean Claude"), sailing to the Berry Islands, cruises to Alaska, Bermuda the Caribbean, Bali and beyond. The trips were filled with laughter, good humor, friends, and family.

He was a loving brother to his three sisters Gloria Tower Westerlind, (deceased),Mary Liebler (deceased) and Dorothy (Ginger) Everingham Tower. He also has three nieces, Angie, Cathy, and Darien, and several grand -nieces and nephews.

No one ever expected that this native Floridian would ever leave Miami, but so he did 17 years ago as he made the transition to Sebastian. Retired from Eastern Air Lines, he was able to enjoy boating and still maintain his connections with his lifelong friends from the Navy and Liberty Aviation, as well as his "pilot buddies" from Eastern by going to the REPA (Retired Eastern Pilots Association) conventions. Always ready with a smile or story, he made friends wherever he went. He will always be remembered for his loyalty.

He was proud to have been a naval aviator, a veteran of WWII, and to have been part of the Eastern Air Lines family. He was a great Dad, a great friend, and he will be forever missed.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eastern Airlines Pilot Memorial Fund, c/o Jerry Frost Treasurer, 5990 Sequoia Line, Douglasville, GA 30135-5575or a charity of your choice.