Jim Nelson age 84 passed away March 4, 2024, at the Trego County Memorial Hospital, with complications from COVID and Parkinson's Disease, just 6 days shy of his 85th birthday. His wife held his hand in his last moments. He was born in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, on March 9, 1939, to Leverne and Virginia (Juhl) Nelson of Axtell, Nebraska. He grew up on the family farm and learned the value of hard work. He attended Axtell Grade School and graduated from Axtell High School in 1956. Jim was not happy on his first day of school as a first grader. After the bus dropped him off at school, he decided to skip school and visit a retired farmer who lived across the street from the school.

Jim came to know Jesus as his Savior, as he attended Sunday school, and Confirmation Classes at Bethany Lutheran Church, near Axtell, Nebraska. In a quiet way, Jim lived out his faith. All things were new, old habits had passed away. He set an example. One of his workers stated in his retirement letter from harvesting, "Jim was the best boss I ever had."

He transferred to Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas from Luther Junior College in Wahoo, NE his junior year, where he met the love of his life. When he started Bethany College, he stated he was going to date 100 girls. After he met Dora, he didn't get past #1. From the time they met, they were seldom apart. They met while working in the college cafeteria. They were accused of holding hands in the dishwater. What attracted Jim to Dora was the fact that he carried a New Testament in his shirt pocket. This started their life together as they had history, education, and physical education classes together.

Jim was always involved in sports, as he played football at Luther Junior College and Bethany College.

Jim was the girls' intramural basketball coach at Bethany College. Some of the girls had played high school basketball and decided they wanted to play varsity sports. Since Dora was the only girl in physical classes, the girls asked her to ask Coach Hahn to get them a schedule. Coach Hahn told Dora he would get a schedule if she could find a coach. She talked Jim into coaching the girls competitively; thus, Jim became the first women's basketball coach at Bethany College.

Jim, Dora, and Doris Hafliger applied for teaching jobs at WaKeeney Grade School. At that time principals went to colleges to interview prospective teachers. All three were hired to start teaching at WaKeeney Grade School the fall of 1960. Jim was hired to teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science, and eventually woodworking, coached football, basketball, and track. In the summer he coached little league baseball. Jim and Dora were married in the Dighton Methodist Church August 7, 1960, before they started teaching. They then joined the Methodist Episcopal in WaKeeney. Two children were born to this union. Penny Lane (Nelson) was born July 29, 1963, and Paul Nelson was born June 21, 1965, both in WaKeeney. Paul was the first baby baptized in this church.

Farming was still in his blood, and in 1968 he took over Dora's grandfather's homestead. After that, Jim leased his father's combine and truck to start his business of Nelson Harvesting. He started small, and eventually had his own trucks and combines. He started out in Alva, Oklahoma, then to Dighton and Shields, Kansas, on to WaKeeney, Kansas, and one year in Colorado. He hired teachers who wanted a summer job, and college students who were working their way through college. Jim and Dora retired from teaching after 41 years at WaKeeney Grade School. The first summer of retirement they were camping with Earl and Charlene Barber at Glen Echo Resort in Colorado. The Barbers were camped beside a couple who were returning from a mission trip in the Northwest. Earl introduced Jim and Dora to Raymond and Arleta Allen. The next spring Jim and Dora started their mission work with a group called Volunteers in Mission (VIM) This group was mainly United Methodists who had RV's and were retired. They worked in homeless shelters, church camps, and even helped remodel a Catholic Church in Donna, Texas. They drove their RV to Arizona three years, San Marcos, Texas, Camp Lakeside near Scott City and Camp Lakeside near Arkansas City until Jim was unable to work.

They liked to travel, as they traveled to all 50 states and had 30 cruises to all the continents except Antarctica. Jim's favorite cruise was the ABC cruise (Another Beautiful Castle Cathedral) cruise down the Rhine, Danube, and Main River. The ship was a three decker. Jim sat on deck and watched the farming activities as they cruised down the rivers.

They also enjoyed many trips to Cedar Bluff with their RV. Theirs was a life together as they taught together. The only time they were ever alone was the two weeks Jim spent in Alva, Oklahoma. They celebrated 63 plus years of marriage.

Dora and Jim hosted exchange students from Peru and Mexico and a teacher from Karlstadt, Germany. When I-70 was closed due to blizzards, they kept a baseball team and 3 families from Newton. Their house was always open for friends and relatives.

Jim's hobby was woodworking. He made rocking horses, a toy highchair, candle holders. a bunk bed and even added a family room, double car garage, and an extension to their kitchen so Dora could do laundry upstairs.

Jim sang in the choir, was a Sunday school teacher and member of men's group at the United Methodist Church. He was a Cub Scout leader and a 4-H leader for 10 years in photography, woodworking, and rocketry. He was a charter member of Kansas Science Teachers Association and Northwest Kansas Prairie Winds Retired Teachers Association. He was a delegate to the KNEA convention for many years and was on the Board of Directors for Northwest Kansas teachers. He was a member of Shirts and Skirts square dance club a few years, WaKeeney Lions Club, and an assistant sponsor of the United Methodist Youth for 8 years. He helped sponsor many ski trips to Colorado for the group.

His children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter were the delight of his life. Jim and Dora traveled many miles watching their children, and grandchildren play football, volleyball, basketball, and track. Baby Maye Yoder was a delight to his eyes.    Bill Scott summed up Jim's personality in a birthday card 3/9/15. "Jim is a very special man with a quick smile, a quick sense of humor, a sharp mind, and a huge heart. Anyone who has known him is blessed to have known him."

Jim graduated from Bethany College with a Bachelor of Arts, and in 1968 he received his Master's in Science from Fort Hays State University.

Survivors include: his wife, a son Paul Nelson (Lisa), Irving Texas; a daughter, Penny Lane (Jeff), Topeka; granddaughters, Erika Yoder (Luke) Topeka, Jordan Nelson, Trinity College, San Antonio, TX; grandson, Jake Nelson, K-State; 3 sisters-in law, Mary Nelson, Bonnie Nelson, and Lola Ross; and a brother-in-law, John Vahle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Don Nelson, Bob Nelson, Jane Robinson, Joyce Vahle, and Jerry Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Jim Nelson Scholarship Fund for aspiring seniors at TCHS in education, nursing, or Christian Education. Contributions can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home at 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS, 67672.

Friends and family are invited to share memories and messages of support by visiting the guestbook at www.schmittfuneral.com. Jim's legacy of kindness, creativity, and love will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. May he rest in eternal peace.

Recording of Funeral Service