James A. Nelson

James A. Nelson was a man for whom actions would speak louder than words. The qualities of being fair, just and the ability to recognize what was right were clearly driving forces in James’s life. He was analytical and observant, with an ability to be simultaneously spontaneous and keenly perceptive. James was modest in his actions and extremely literal in his thoughts and in the manner in which he communicated with others. When James said something, he meant it. All those who knew him appreciated this trademark quality.

James was born on August 2, 1961 in Valpariso, Florida. His parents were Jesse and Jean Nelson. James was raised in Iowa and Las Vegas, Nevada. James was raised with three brothers. He had two older brothers, Jerry and Jeff, and one younger brother, David. James was constantly involved in activities with his siblings. He was also creative and enjoyed activities on his own. In his spare time he liked ceramics. Even as a small child, James wanted to understand what was right and what was wrong in any given situation. As James grew older, he realized the importance of being treated fairly, and in return, he treated everyone around him the same way. This belief in fair play served James well throughout his life and despite his natural shyness; he enjoyed a solid group of friends.

James graduated from Ankiny High School in 1978. He enjoyed some courses more than others with one of his favorite classes being math. He enjoyed the task of scrutinizing problems, investigating all of the options and then solving them. He had a strong group of loyal friends who enjoyed the same subjects and activities that he did. While growing up, some of his best friends were Jim Thompson, James Woods, and Jim Glisell. Later in life, he became friends with Dale Keenan, and Mark Simones.

This same loyalty and up front honesty James shared with his friends carried over to other aspects of his life, including his relationships with his wife. On April 18, 1992, James exchanged wedding vows with Julie Dae Ryan at the Elks Club of Las Vegas, Nevada. The marriage became a solid relationship, due in part to James’s skill at bringing fresh energy and clarity to meeting Julie's needs. He was a great listener who enjoyed the couple’s “together” time, especially when it came to celebrating special occasions.

In his work life, James was a leader. His primary occupation was as a Locksmith. He worked with various locksmith companies in Las Vegas, Nevada and throughout his career, he assisted his peers and the locksmith community with his special knowledge and work experience. His most prestigious accomplishments were earning his CRL license and many locksmith awards.

James’s curious and inquisitive nature influenced his choice of hobbies . His favorite pursuits were woodworking and golf. In his spare time, James also liked to watch golf and football. In his later years, he was a member of ALOHA. James was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

James appreciated the occasions when he was able to travel and get away on a vacation. He enjoyed learning about different locales and was open to exploring new and different places. Favorite vacation spots included a Caribbean Cruise and visiting Jamaica.

James was also a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of James’s favorites was Odie, a cat. They were best friends for ten years. His family was rounded out by Louie, a mixed breed cat.

James passed away on July 24, 2018, in the comfort of his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He fought a hard and brave battle against liver disease. He is survived by his wife, Julie, his mother Jean, and his siblings, Jerry, Jeff, and David. He is preceded in death by his father, Jesse and his memory will be cherished by extended family and friends. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary in Las Vegas, Nevada. James was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James strongly believed that talk is cheap. He was the type of person who would show others his feelings through his actions. He was practical and realistic but was able to be flexible when the need arose. He had a curiosity about the things around him and tried to experience life directly rather than sit back and talk about it. The experiences he treasured most were those he shared with his loved ones. James A. Nelson will be greatly missed.