James H Nelson

James Henry Nelson, Jr.

May 18, 1933 – December 27, 2024

James Henry Nelson, a longtime resident of San Bernardino, California passed away peacefully at his home on December 27, 2024. James was born on May 18, 1933 in Charleston, South Carolina as the only child to Frances and James Nelson, Sr. His father, James Nelson, Sr. passed away suddenly and unexpectedly when he was a small child. His mother, Frances, remarried so that James could have a family and father figure. Frances married William Jackson and they both were caring and devoted parents who lovingly raised James.

James was introduced to the Catholic faith by his mother Frances, who was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Charleston. James attended Catholic High School and upon graduation enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was relocated from his hometown in South Carolina and stationed at the 479th Air Police Squadron at George Air Force Base in Victorville California where he served as an Air Force Military Policeman in Federal Law Enforcement.

Although his stepfather, William had wishes for James to attend college at Howard University given his intellectual abilities, he instead aspired to enlist in the United States Air Force and joined in 1952 shortly after the United States Military legally became desegregated allowing full integration of African American Servicemen in the United States Air Force.

James met his wife, Gladys at a gathering in San Bernardino California. They fell in love and married in 1956. Their lovely marriage ceremony took place at Gladys’ Aunt Mariah and Uncle Alfred Jackson’s home in San Bernardino. Together, Gladys and James had three beautiful daughters, Gwendolyn, Sandra, and Jennifer.

James received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and attended San Bernardino Valley College. He continued to serve in a military capacity with the United States Air Force Reserves. James went on to have a successful professional career advancing through the ranks at the United States Postal Service to the position of supervisor where he accomplished 30 years of loyal service that led to him achieving retirement.

James was a wonderful man of religious faith who taught his daughters at a young age how to say and memorize the family table blessing that carried into their adult lives. He was a man with honorable character and loved immensely by his family. He became a member of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino and introduced the Catholic faith to his two grandsons, Christopher and Eric and arranged for them to attend St. Anthony Catholic school. James was hard working, serious minded and no nonsense, yet kind, fun loving, and thoughtful. He always remembered to recognize family birthdays and provided gifts during the Christmas holidays. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who was blessed and fortunate to live a long and abundant life filled with love, peace, joy, happiness, and an overflow of many blessings. He was an excellent provider for his family and always expressed his profound love for his wife Gladys and family.

James is predeceased by his beloved wife, Gladys Nelson who passed away on December 27, 2021, (the same month and calendar date as the passing of her beloved husband, James, yet three years apart), daughter, Sandra Nelson, mother, Frances Jackson, natural father, James Nelson, Sr., stepfather, William Jackson, grandparents, Joseph and Amanda Marshall, grandfather, Edward Nelson, and aunt, Sadie Thompson.

James leaves behind his daughters, Gwendolyn Earle, (son-in-law, Richard Earle) and Jennifer Nelson, grandsons, Eric Green and Christopher Thomas, granddaughter, Ronniesha Blakemore, great grandson, Jonathan Green, and a host of family relatives, including cousins.

It is the heartfelt desire of James to be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Gladys at Montecito Memorial Park. May they both rest in love and peace.