James Russell Nelson, 92, of Elsmore passed away on Friday, July 27, 2012, at Allen County Hospital.
He was born Oct. 26, 1919, in Elsmore, the son of Charles William and Matilda Susan (Peterson) Nelson. He was a lifelong resident of Elsmore. Jim entered the United States Army in 1942 serving as a Master Sergeant for five years. He was recalled in 1950 to serve in the Korean Conflict for 11 months.
Nelson married Virginia I. Cochran on Oct. 7, 1950 in Bentonville, Ark. This union was blessed with one daughter.
He established and ran the Elsmore Recreation Center upon his return from the military for several years. He served as Allen County Commissioner. Nelson worked for the State of Kansas Department of Revenue as a special investigator for the sales tax division for 22 years. Upon his retirement, he served as mayor and council man for many years for the City of Elsmore.
Nelson was a member of the Virginia Lodge of Savonburg, Scottish Rites of Fort Scott, Mirza Temple of Pittsburg, Tri-County Shrine, the American Legion Moran and the Chanute Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles W. Nelson Jr. Kenneth Nelson, and Edgar Nelson; sisters, Stella Setterstom, Ruby Johnson, Mildred Hodson, and Bernice Gregg.
Nelson is survived by his wife, Virginia Nelson, of the home; daughter, Teri Porter and husband Rocky of Iola; two grandsons, Dustin Hicks of Dickinson, N.D., and Tanner Porter of Iola; two step-granddaughters, Jennifer Cescon and Lisa Cary and families of Iola; one great-granddaughter, Siena Hicks; several nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at the Elsmore United Methodist Church; burial following in the Elsmore Cemetery. The family will be present to greet friends at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Moran on Monday evening from 6 to 8 o’clock. Memorial contributions may be made to Mirza Temple Transportation Fund.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
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