James "Jim" Nelson

JAMES RAY "JIM" NELSON June 29, 1953 - July 23, 2014 James "Jim" Nelson age 61 of Park Rapids, MN passed away peacefully at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 at 1:00 PM. Jim was born June 29, 1953 at St. Josephs Hospital in Park Rapids, MN to Bernard and Barbara Nelson of Hibbing, MN. He was the first child of six. Jim attended public school in Hibbing, graduating from Hibbing High School in 1972. He moved to Park Rapids 1982, where he was employed at R.D.O/Lamb Weston for over 24 years, retiring from the plant May 18, 2014. He also helped in the construction of the plant in 1981. Jim was a Coca-Cola collector, he also liked to collect Avon, old cars, trains, and stamps. He enjoyed going to the Grand Rapids Car Show every year, attending 39 annual shows. He enjoyed spoiling the grandkids, camping at Mantrap, fixing cars, woodworking, spending time with family and friends, reading western books, and attending special events such as the births of his grandchildren, birthdays, school plays, baptisms and holidays. Family was one of his top priorities. Jim is survived by his parents Bernard & Barbara Nelson of Hibbing, MN; his son's Patrick of Park Rapids, MN; and Bruce of Fargo, ND; his daughter's Sara and Misty (James Rivers) all of Park Rapids; his brother's Kent (Marlyn) of Hibbing, MN; Reed of Hibbing; Scott (Linda) of Park Rapids; sister Jeannine of Chisholm, MN; sister-in-law Viki of Chisholm; his grandchildren: Gabe, Alexis, Jesse, Kellsie, Elijah, Destiny, Kaleigh, Levi, Jordan, Hailey, and Leland all of Park Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his brother Terry of Chisholm; grandparents Gunder and Bessie Nelson of Park Rapids, MN; and grandparents Douglas and Ruth Brotherton of Portland, OR. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 1, 2014 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Reverend Steve Norby officiating. Music selections will include "Daddy's Hands", "I Can Only Imagine", "I'll Fly Away", "Grandpa Told Me So", and "When I Get Where I'm Going". Active Casketbearers will be James Rivers, Chad Suggs, Scott Nelson, Patrick Nelson, Reed Nelson, Kent Nelson, and Tom Leubner. Honorary Casketbearers will be Sara Nelson, Misty Rivers and Bruce Shumway. Interment will be made at the Lake Emma Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Friday at the Jones Pearson Funeral Home. To leave online condolences, or view the video tribute, please visit jonespearson.com