Carlton A. Nebel

Carlton Anton Nebel was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on October 31, 1926. For this Lutheran family, Reformation Day was the perfect moment for God to bring this ten pound pumpkin into the world. His hardworking German parents, Anna --a housewife with only a 4th grade education-- and Reido--a WW1 veteran and electrician-- loved the Lord and their children: Weldon, Norma, and Carlton – lovingly nicknamed Fatty. The Great Depression hit this little family hard, yet Carlton – spunky and smart -- grew up with fond memories of eating mustard & sugar bread, creating his own monopoly board out of scraps, and playing stickball with neighbors. This love of life and sports would follow him throughout his journeys, but everything paled to his love of the Lord. He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church – where he was baptized. In 1940, he was given 1 Tim. 1:15 as his confirmation verse and held it close to his heart: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.” And Carlton took that faith with him as he graduated from Central High School (1944), Southeast Missouri State University (1951), and later Washington University with a Masters in History. Always ready to go, Carlton joined the army in WWII and served stateside as a staff sergeant, training soldiers in artillery. In 1947, he hitchhiked to Texas and joined the Austin Pioneers – a minor league baseball team – as their catcher. Over the next four years while attending college, he played Double AA baseball with the Cincinnatti Red’s organization in Michigan, W.Virginia, S. Carolina, and Minnesota. Playing during these Golden Years with legends such as Yogi Berra, “Fat” Nebel was a versatile player who fired up his teammates – for better or worse—and was admired for his game knowledge. He once tried to throw Jackie Robinson out while he was stealing second base and was chewed out by Leo Duroche for trying. Carlton continued his service to others as a history teacher over the next three decades at several high schools: Hancock, Southwest, Kenard, and Cleveland, where he coached two baseball and basketball teams to state championships. To stay connected to baseball and with a heart to mentor young players, he was an umpire for 52 years, inducted in the Missouri Umpire Hall of Fame in 2016. He also taught driver’s ed. to over 1000 students in St. Louis, scaring generations of teens with his emergency stops, yet encouraging each with a dashboard prayer to say before they started the car. While this worker bee was buzzing around the city, the Lord provided him with a partner beyond measure. Sweet Bernice Roth – a Missouri farm girl – married the energetic Carlton in 1966 and created a Christ-centered home for her busy husband and children: Mark, Jeannie, Susan, and Mary. Together, Carlton and Bernice lifted each other and everyone around them up with a generous spirit, contagious joy, and a home full of warmth and hospitality. A faithful member of Concordia, Kirkwood, Carlton humbly served in every way possible: choir member, Sunday school superintendent, bus driver and more. He was never without a smile and never without a bulletin or prayer, as he handed them to literally every person he met, using every opportunity to share the hope that he had in Jesus. His heart for others was what endeared him to his children – Mark & Ingrid, Jeannie & Michael, Susan & Joe, Mary & Chris. His heart for play is what let him shine with his grandchildren: Jocelyn, Katie, Sara, Jack, Justin, Pete, Anna, Ella, Sophie and great-grandson Daniel. Forever a kid at heart, Grandpa Nebel was always ready for a monopoly battle, a game of catch, and a wagon ride. With a twinkle in his blue eyes and a song in his heart, Grandpa would beat you in a game, then call that it was time for family devotions and an ice cream cone. Pete shared once that when he was young, he thought Grandpa Nebel was the “closest thing to Jesus on earth.” Carlton would heartily disagree, daily reminding himself and his family that he moves only by the grace of God…period. And that for nine full decades of his life --a busy, messy, inspiring, forgiven, unforgettable life -- that only grace sustained, encouraged, and saved him. Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of this man – for his energy, his joy, his example, his heart. And for the gift of your grace to us all. May we all learn to sing it, share it, and live it out loud – with enthusiasm and sincerity – as Carlton did each and every day, until we gather together again. Donations in Carlton's memory may be made to KFUO Radio- 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd. St. Louis, MO 63122

Carlton A. Nebel

October 31, 1926 - September 19, 2022