Lonnie D. Nelson was born in Lexington, Nebraska, and grew up on farms. Inspired by a pilot delivering flyers during his childhood, he dreamed of flying. After years of hunting and fishing, which sparked his love for wildlife, he pursued a degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology. Facing financial challenges, he earned a teaching degree and joined the U.S. Air Force, where he became a pilot and served in Vietnam and NATO. After retiring, he achieved his dream of earning a master’s in Fish and Wildlife Biology and worked for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, developing a statewide fishing education program.