Nelson Ray Van Zandt, 77, of Lorena, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2003 in a local hospital. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 27, 2003 at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors Chapel with Rev. Brian Connally officiating. Interment will follow at Rosenthal Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, December 26th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.Nelson was born in Ocena, Oklahoma to Roseteen and Clifford Van Zandt on August 19, 1926. He graduated as Valedictorian from Buena High School in Imperial, Texas and attended Texas A&M University. He served in the U.S. Army and was a World War II veteran. He was a Baptist.Nelson is survived by his wife, Mary Ann of Lorena, Texas and sons, Mike Van Zandt of Lorena, Bobby Ray Musick and his wife, Becky of Lorena, John Van Zandt and his wife, Tommie of Odessa, Texas and daughters, Mikki Holman and husband, David of Lorena, Angelique Van Zandt of Odessa, Texas, daughter-in-law, Carla Van Zandt of Mart, sisters, Sue Vice of Odessa, Texas and Mary Ruth Shaffer of Washington, Kansas, brother, H.C. Van Zandt of Lorena, grandsons, Bradley Van Zandt, Wayne Musick, Ian Van Zandt, Ryan Van Zandt, and Clay Kerr, granddaughters, Anna Glaze, Ashley Glaze, Kellie Rae Van Zandt, Lauren Van Zandt, Zona Van Zandt and Shauna Brown, four great grandchildren, many special nieces, nephews, family and friends.Nelson was preceded in death by his son, Mark Alan Van Zandt and grandsons, Mark Alan Van Zandt, Jr. and Larry Jackson, Jr.Pallbearers will be Bradley Van Zandt, Wayne Musick, Ian Van Zandt, Ryan Van Zandt, Bob Strahan and Alan Strahan.Honorary Pallbearers will be Emmitt Vice, Jr., Freeland Van Zandt, Ty Van Zandt and Phil McVain.Memorial may be made to Rosenthal Cemetery Association, 305 W. Billington, Waco, Texas 76706.