James E Nelson

February 15, 1947 – September 25, 2013

Jim was born February 15th, 1947 in Yakima, Washington to Everett Nelson and Ila (Eickhoff) Nelson. He was raised in Olympia, Washington. He and his friends, the “South Bay Boys” attended school together from elementary to high school. As soon as he graduated from North Thurston High School in 1965, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Judith Ann Oliver.

Three months after Jim and Judi married, Jim was sent off to fight for his country in Vietnam. About a year later, Jim returned to the states and to Judi, and their growing family. Together, Jim and Judi have five children; Traci Ann, Kelli Jo, Philip James (P.J.), Geoffrey Everett and Paige Marissa.

Jim was a talented musician, and was a member of several local bands from the time he was 14 years old. At family gatherings it was always a welcomed treat when he would bring out his guitar and play for his family.

Jim was a gifted tradesman. He worked in construction for over 30 years. Much of that time was spent working as a drywall hanger for Mark’s Drywall of Olympia. He enjoyed his work, and was proud of what he did. There was very little about the construction trade that Jim was not familiar with. He was very knowledgeable. He was always the first one there with his tools on, for a family member or a friend in need of a helping hand.

Jim and Judi were avid campers. For many years they traveled to several state parks and campgrounds all over the state with their kids and grandkids, every weekend the Washington weather would allow. They taught them a love for the outdoors with walks and bike rides, campfires, BBQ’s and enjoying family and friends. When Jim retired, he and Judi sold their home, packed up their RV and hit the road. They traveled with freedom and visited family in many states, settling for some time in Las Vegas, where they would live the Snowbird life, returning to the northwest for the summer months, and Las Vegas in the winter. In 2001 they returned home to Olympia, where they took up permanent residence at the Pleasant Forest Camping Club. It was paradise for Jim and Judi, a place where there are campfires burning every night, and the fastest vehicles on the gravel roads are golf carts. Their children, grandchildren and friends visited them there often, where they would haul out their tents and RV’s with families of their own to continue the tradition of camping out and enjoying family. Recently, while sitting in his usual spot on the deck that he and his son P.J. built, beneath the flagpole where he proudly flew the American and POW/MIA flags, he told his daughter Traci that if he had to die now, he would die a happy man, for all of his children were happy and healthy, and he lived in heaven.

Jim leaves behind his wife Judi, his children; Traci Dixon, Kelli Dixon, P.J. Nelson, Geoff (Jacki) Nelson, and Paige Popple, his grandchildren; Kody, Kory, Chenoa, Nate, Dylan, Aubrey, Cole, Cooper, Maddie and Charlee, a Great-Grandson; Karter, his brother Allen (Shara), many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends from all over the country. Jim was a simple man who was proud of whom he was. He was proud of the life he had carved out in his home town. He was proud mostly of his family, and told them that he loved them often. He will be missed by many.