James Adrith Nelson Sr.

James Adrith Nelson, Sr. age 90, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 22, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 13, 1925 in Boone, North Carolina to James Arnold and Bessie Locke Nelson and lived in the area his entire life. James served his country in the United States Navy during WWII . He was a Landing Craft operator who was assigned to LST 286 from its commission date in December 1943 until March of 1946 when it was decommissioned. James served in Europe and was part of the Normandy invasion Force before being sent to the Pacific. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946 he married Ruth Virginia Wright on June 1, 1946 and together they raised 2 children, James Jr. and Sue. James was a member Damascus Road Baptist Church and the American Legion, Post 209. He was active in the LST Association and involved with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. James loved his little dog Trixie and was devoted to her care. James is survived by his children, James A. Nelson, Jr. and wife Freda of Connelly Springs and Sue Martin of Icard; grandchildren, Scott Martin and wife Mary of Mountain View, Curtis Martin of Icard, Danielle Rogers and husband JB of Taylorsville, and Natisha Prince and husband Tyler of Hickory, and great grandchildren Natalie and Benjamin Prince of Hickory. James was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years Ruth Nelson; siblings, Nettie Brittain, Christine Brown and Andrew Nelson. Services will be held at 11 am Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Catawba Funeral Home in Hickory with Pastor Ernie Wilson. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10 am to 11 am on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese NC 28690.