James D. “Jim” Nelson

James D. Nelson, 81 years, 11 months, and 14 days old, passed away on Dec. 15, 2014 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., with his family by his side.
Jim was born Jan. 1, 1933 in Douglas County, Mo., to Robert and Maudie (Maggard) Nelson.
Jim was a life long resident of the Goodhope community. He was retired from working at Stone Sawmill for over 30 years. He was also a farmer and owned and operated Nelson’s Auto Salvage for many years. Jim was an Army Veteran and served in Panama from 1956 to 1958.
On June 27, 1956 Jim and Ressie Johnson were united in marriage in Douglas County and to this union four children were born. Ressie preceded him in death in 1998. Later on, Jim met Alice McKinney and they were united in marriage on June 3, 2002 in Ava, Mo.
Jim was a Christian and a member of the Eastern Gate Baptist Church. He attended every time the church door was open. He enjoyed hunting, fishing gardening and listening to gospel music. He loved visiting and teasing with all his friends and family. Jim’s smile will be missed. His joy was being with his family and grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ressie in 1998; a brother, Herbert Nelson; sister, Barbara Downs; and great-granddaughter, Abigail Nelson.
Jim is survived by his wife, Alice Nelson, Ava, Mo.; four children and their spouses, Teresa and Danny Davis, Donna and Bobby  Hull, Terry and Carolyn Nelson and Jackie Nelson, all of Ava, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Stephanie Bruckner and Cindy Hailey; six grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gracie Williams, Chadwick, Mo., and Lavon Jones, Ava; three brothers, Bobby Nelson, Springfield, Mo., Buck Nelson and Billy Nelson, both of Ava; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Jim will be Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Mo., with burial in the Goodhope Cemetery with full military honors by Troy Herd American Legion Post 112. Visitation will be Thursday  from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Bro. Donald Potter and Pastor James Orick. Memorials may be made to Goodhope Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.