James "Jim" Nelson

On Oct. 4, 2008, James Jim Furlong Nelson went home to be with Jesus. Jim was born on Oct. 23, 1922, in Stoneham to Lina Haworth Nelson and Louis Nelson. Jim was very proud of being a native Colora-doan and had lived in the Fort Collins area since he was two years old. He was known by many of his school chums as "Buster", to his Navy buddies he was "Cotton", to his grandchildren and great grandchildren he was known as "Papa Jim". Jim grew up in Waverly where he graduated from Waverly High School. After World War II started he joined the Navy and was trained as a Motormac and served on a PT Boat 235, Squadrons 19 & 20 in the South Paicific. While home on leave from the Philipines, he met the love of his life Lenna Peacock "Jean". They were married Dec. 23, 1945. Jim was one of the many who helped build Horsetooth Reservoir. He also worked for the county road department. He delivered propane in the Northern Colorado area for 13 years. In 1966 he and Jean bought Virginia Dale Caf ¬ and gas station better know as Nelson's Hilltop. They operated the caf ¬ and station until 1973 when they sold it and moved to LaPorte where he operated his own station and shop. Jim started selling real estate in 1980. He sold real estate until retirement in 1994. At that time he and Jean began their new lives as "Snow Birds". In 2002 they quite going to Arizona, due to Jean's health. Jim drove for the Loveland Auto Auction and an auto auction in Phoenix. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean, in 2007; and both of his parents and two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by one daughter, Pat Gueswel Roy; one son, Michael Nelson Tricee'a; as well as four granddaughters, Royale Gueswel, Roice Mumford Jef, Robin Heffley-Armijo Will and Bonnie Jean Clark. He was very proud that he had eight great grandchildren:, Leroy 11, JJ 10 Garrett 9, Patrick 9, Michael 7, Sammy 6 and Izabeth 5. He is also survived by his sister, Louise Brahandt of Bremmerton, Wash. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment with military honors by the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to the Jim Nelson Memorial Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.