NELLIS, Albert A., age 88, of Huber Heights, Ohio, passed away on April 10, 2026 at Kettering Health Main Campus.

He was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was born on January 9, 1938, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Albert J. Nellis and Ruth E. (Brocke) Nellis. He attended Our Lady of Mercy School and Chaminade High School. He served in the US Navy from 1956-61, as an Electronic Technician (ET3-P1) maintaining Air & Surface Search Radar on the USS Hanna (DE-449) destroyer escort on a Pacific cruise to Australia, Japan & Korea, and on the USS Forrest B. Royal (DD-872) destroyer on a cruise to the Mediterranean, serving during the Beirut Crisis, and reached all continents except Antarctica by age 21.

After the Navy, he attended the University of Dayton, then worked as Communications Technician at AT&T for 34 years, working at the Dayton Office and on WPAFB, working on microwave, satellite, and power systems.

He was self-taught in wood-working, electrical, plumbing, and construction. He was a member of the Vandalia Crossroads Aero Club from 1967-77, where he earned a commercial pilots license. He held an Advanced Amateur Radio license with call-sign KA8IPO; and was an active member of the Dayton and Huber Heights Amateur Radio Clubs for many years and participated annually in Field Day and Hamvention events. He provided ham radio communications for Wayne High School football games for 20 years. 

He was an active member of St. Peter church and contributed to repair of the church tower bells. He was a supporter of the Dayton and Carriage Hill historical societies, where he qualified for running historic steam engines. He actively supported his sons participation Huber Heights Boy Scout Troops 169 and 57; and supported the Pinewood Derby electronic finish system for many years.  

In his later retirement years, he and his wife, Sally, served as full-time caregivers for his severely handicapped son, Brian, for 15 years. He is remembered as someone who loved his family, community, and his country and for his willingness to help others in need.

He enjoyed building & flying kites, solving Sudoku puzzles, building crystal radios & QRP transceivers/antennas, refurbishing equipment, visiting historic steam trains & lighthouses, going on family vacations & gatherings; and appreciated a good bowl of soup.

He is preceded in death by his sisters Ruth R. Nellis & Charmine C. Patko; his brother Fulton E. Nellis and his son Brian E. Nellis. He is survived by his wife Sally M. Nellis; sons: David F. Nellis (Wen) and Gary A. Nellis; grandchildren: April, Megan, & Atlas Nellis; sister Darlene D. (James) Trey; and uncle and best friend Clarence (Gene) E. Brocke, and many relatives and friends.   

"In lieu of flowers", the family requests that those wishing to express sympathy consider a donation to Hospice of Ohio or the Cancer Society in Albert’s name. 

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Friday, April 17, 2026 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6161 Chambersburg Road with Father Andrew Smith celebrant.  Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-7 PM at Marker & Heller Funeral Homes, Huber Heights Chapel, 5844 Old Troy Pike.