Carl Nelson

Carl was born in Vilas, Kansas to Amos and Artia Nelson, and was one of three siblings. He attended North High in Wichita, Kansas, where he met his future wife, Patty Smith. They were married December 30, 1961 in Wichita, Kansas while both attending Kansas State University where Carl was a fraternity brother of Phi Kappa Tau and graduated with a 5-year professional degree in Architecture. After graduation they moved to Santa Ana, California where Carl began his architectural career and Patty began her elementary school teaching career. After their two children were born, they moved to Irvine, California where they lived for 10 years. Carl worked for an architectural firm and also designed and helped build some hillside homes in Orange County.

Looking to move to a place where Carl could start his own architectural practice, they decided to move in 1981 to the then rather unknown town of Sedona, Arizona. There, Carl thrived in his career and founded a successful architecture firm that far exceeded his expectations. He was able to design private residences that exquisitely fit into the beauty of the red rocks, meet and work with amazing clients whom most became friends of Patty and Carl’s, and became a well known and respected architect who loved being a part of the Sedona community for 45 years. He not only gave Sedona his beautiful architecture which can be seen around town and in many subdivisions, but also he gave of his time volunteering in various ways, the longest post being 7 years as a member of the Sedona City Council Planning and Zoning Commission.

While designing homes, Carl developed a passion for the famous architect Frank Llloyd Wright’s style of architecture and he and Patty would take road trips visiting FLW’s homes and buildings throughout the country. Carl became an author when he wrote and published a book entitled Traveling Wright. It was a great sense of accomplishment for Carl when his books were sold at both Taliesin West and Wright’s famous Falling Waters Bookstores. Carl was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona, and enjoyed singing in both the choir and a newly formed singing group of church friends in his last few years of life. His relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ, was deeply personal and the most important part of his life. He was a loving husband, father and loved spending time with all of his grandkids.

During the morning of July 8, 2026, Carl passed from life to LIFE, and went to be with his Lord and Savior and his late wife Patty. He is survived by a son, Greg and his wife Elizabeth of Scottsdale, Arizona; and a daughter, Laurel and her husband Brian of Oak Hill, Virginia; along with 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 24, at 11:00am at Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona.