*1937
Earl was born on August 29, 1937 in Emerson Arkansas. (died November 1, 2016) He lived in Arkansas until the age of 16 when he began his bachelors program at Michigan State University. He started his career as a teacher in the Lansing school district. He then served 8 years in the Michigan Legislature as both a State Representative and Senator. He finished his career as the Director of Equity for the State Department of Education. He is also remembered as founder of the Earl Nelson Singers and a Lansing community advocate.