James Burt Nelson II

Visitation is from 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.

He died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at home.

Mr. Nelson was born Dec. 19, 1927, in Athens to Ebby and Mollie Nelson. He was a graduate of Athens University. He was a member of First Christian Church where he served as an elder.

Mr. Nelson was a Boy Scout leader and a member of the Order of Arrow. He served in the armed forces in the 1343rd Combat Engineers and was a Korean War veteran.

Mr. Nelson was a member of the NASA Mercury and Apollo programs and a retiree from the Tennessee Valley Authority. He was a farmer and a cattleman. He was also an avid reader and historian. He served as a board member of the Donnell House and the Elk River Development Agency.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jack Nelson.

Mr. Nelson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Flo Nelson; son, Burt Nelson and wife Michelle of Athens; daughters, Mar Nelson Hodges and husband Steve of New Hope, and Susan Nelson of Athens; brother, Richard “Buddy” Nelson of Athens; sister, JoAnn Nelson Bradshaw of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; grandchildren, Heather Nelson Vines and husband Travis, Jamie Nelson and wife Vicky, and Penny Richards; great-grandchildren, Christopher Vines, Zachary Vines, Grayce Ann Richards, and Cara Beth Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Limestone County and First Christian Church of Athens.