James Boyd Nelson, Jr.

He was the son of James Boyd Nelson, Sr. and Nina Louise Burns Nelson, who preceded him in death, along with his sister, Mary Beth Olin.

Jim graduated from Geary High School in 1960, where he lettered in football, wrestling, and baseball. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he pursued his passion for wrestling and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He furthered his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he received a BS degree. Jim taught and coached from 1966-1972. Jim also proudly served in the Oklahoma Army Reserves as a Signal Corpsman.

Jim was married to Sharron Ward Reeves, mother of Jay and Angie, from 1966-1989.

In 1982, Jim founded North Preston Properties and retired in 2023 at the young age of 80. He was a respected leader in the commercial real estate industry for more than 40 years. From coaching to teaching to brokering real estate deals, Jim Bob was an entrepreneur at heart and was often referred to as one of Collin County’s “movers and shakers.”

Jim served on numerous boards and organizations, including Collin County Community College, the American Cancer Society, the Rotary Club (where he served as President), various political campaigns, and the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation. He was a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Church in Plano. Jim was also a proud member of the American Hereford Association and operated a successful cattle business in both Texas and Oklahoma. Jim was a founding member of Gleneagles Country Club, est 1985. Gleneagles was the scene of real estate deals, rounds of golf and exaggerated stories told in the men's locker room.

Jim is survived by his significant other Betty Jane Brame, who he has been “going steady” with for over 30 years. His son Jay Nelson and wife Brooke, and their three daughters Riley, Montgomerie, and Sawyer; his daughter Angie Telfer and her husband Matt; and by Betty Jane’s daughter Dr. Cory Brame McGuire, her husband Dr. Desmond McGuire and granddaughter Kendall.

Jim’s passions included Oklahoma State football—and anyone playing against OU—real estate, cattle, and attending his granddaughters’ activities. He was a real estate broker by trade, but a “cowboy at heart”.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation at www.hendrickscholarship.org.