Hinton (Johnny) S. Nelms, Jr., 72, of Lake Park, Georgia, passed from this life on Monday, September 14, 2026 at the Langdale Hospice House after a prolonged illness. He was born on December 1, 1953 in Moultrie, GA, to the late Joyce Opal Hunt and Hinton Silas Nelms, Sr.

The second son of Joyce and Hinton, Sr grew up being called Johnny and had deep family roots in Southwest Georgia. His father’s work caused the family to move frequently across southern Georgia and Florida. Johnny developed a love of rural and agricultural life, and the family did eventually settle on a small farm outside of Morven, Georgia by the time he was in high school.

Johnny enlisted in the US Army shortly after graduating from Brooks County High School in 1971. After serving a tour in Germany, he returned to the Valdosta area. On a Sunday afternoon while cruising down Ashley Street in the summer 1975, he met the love of his life, Vickie Parrish, at the Shoney’s Drive Inn. They were married for 50 years and raised a family while moving to several duty stations around the world. John served active duty for twenty-six years. During this time, the family travelled from Fort Benning, Georgia to Giessen, Germany to Indian Head, Maryland. Mr. Nelms served as instructor at the US Navy’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal school at the Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station (now known as the Naval Ordnance Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division). He then attended the US Army Warrant Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. In that same capacity, Mr. Nelms traveled back to Buren, Germany, on to Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Clayton in the Republic of Panama. The Nelms family was later stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. He was a Retired Veteran, as well as a Vietnam Era and Cold War Era Veteran.

During his active duty military service, Chief Nelms served as a Cavalry Scout, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Tech, an EOD Instructor, a Nuclear Weapons technician, and a Conventional Ordnance Specialist. After his retirement from active duty, Nelms did work for the department of the Army in a civilian role. At the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria - Hohenfels, Germany he served as the Accountable Officer at the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP), and later as a Logistics Specialist at the US Army’s Defence Ammunition Center in McAlester, Oklahoma.

John was a believer in the Christian faith, and knew Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He and his wife were longtime members of Abundant Life Church of God in Valdosta.

Chief Nelms believed wholeheartedly in the virtues of hard work. While his free time was rare, he liked to fish, enjoyed woodworking, watching classic John Wayne westerns, and riding in his Jeep with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Vickie Nelms of Lake Park, GA; son, Justin (Kristyn) Nelms of Moultrie, GA; daughter, Katie (Kellen) Bridges of Tifton, GA; grandchildren, Lauren Nelms of Moultrie, GA; Augustus Bridges, and Lula Lottie, both of Tifton, GA; brothers, Daniel (Pam) Nelms of Waverly Hall, GA, Hunt (Lisa) Nelms of Naples, FL, and David (Alicia) Nelms of Indianapolis, IN; sister, Betty Ann (Brian) Thompson of Bainbridge, GA; step-mother Betty Nelms of Bainbridge, GA ; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents and sister, Mary Frances Nelms.

A memorial service for Mr. Nelms is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 26 at the McLane Riverview Gardens Pavilion. The family will welcome guests prior to the service from 10-11 a.m.

The family is accepting flowers. Additionally, friends could make a donation tribute to the EOD Warrior Foundation (https://eod-wf.org/) or make a contribution to the Lake Park Church of God, in Lake Park, Georgia for the construction of a new sanctuary.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.