JAMES R. NELSON

September 29, 2016

James R. Nelson, 95, of Jackson, Mo., died September 11, 2016, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Jim was born July 27, 1921, in St. Joseph, Mo. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1939. He dated Evelyn Campen and they were married in February 1943. Jim and Evelyn moved to Jackson, Mo., in 1950 and it became their lifetime home. They enjoyed 73 years of marriage. Jim enlisted June 2, 1942, in the Army Air Corps and served in World War II. He was called to active duty in 1943 and was stationed at bases in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, earning his pilot wings in 1944. He became a pilot instructor for B25 airplanes. A year later he received his Navy wings, and was selected to teach Navy pilots to fly. In Okinawa, he flew Air-Sea rescues and reconnaissance missions. Jim received his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1947 with the rank of Captain. He held a flying license for many years. Jim was very proud to have served his country. He was a true patriot from the “greatest generation.”In 1947 Jim received a bachelor's degree in education from Truman State at Kirksville and a Master in Arts in administration in 1951 from the University of Missouri at Columbia. From 1951 to 1962, he was an instructor at Jackson High School. Jim became Principal of Jackson High School in 1963 and held that position until his retirement in 1986. During those 23 years, he signed over 5,000 diplomas, established s scholarship program, a foreign exchange program with the Rotary Club, of which he was a member, girls basketball and girls track and had a decisive hand in formulation of curriculum. Jim's best legacy was his open door and good ethics policies. He shaped youth for many years. The American Legion Post 158 of Jackson was an important element in his life, He served as Commander and was on the Honor Guard, volunteered public bingo as a fundraiser, coordinated talent shows for Jackson Homecomers Festivals, took photographs at events and submitted items to the newspaper for publication. He received the American Legion Meritorious

Service Award in 2010. Jim was manager of the Jackson Swimming Pool 1956-1967 and implemented the current swim lesson program, instructor training and life guard training. The result was excellent local participation. A long list of activities include Jackson Planning and Zoning committee, Missouri Historical Society, Jackson Heritage Association (Education Award 1998) Amateur Radio Club of Southeast Missouri, and chairman of the Southeast Missouri Principals Association. He received the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award in 1999 from the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Jim was a very good fisherman and hunter. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to enjoy and respect the outdoors. He took his family on many holiday trips to Evelyn's parents farm at Monticello to enjoy these hobbies and to visit. Flea markets were fun too. Each visit to Jackson by the in-laws always included a “special tour” of the Jackson High School with emphasis on all the additions and improvements made since the last visit. Jim was very connected with his school and very proud of it. Loving survivors include his wife Evelyn Nelson; two children Janet (David) Ludwig of Jackson and James Kent (Jean) Nelson of St. Mary, Mo.; two grandchildren, Tracy (Ty) Metzger of Cape Girardeau and Jason (Amanda) Ludwig of St. Peter's Mo. and five great-grandchildren, Gabe Metzger, Gracie Metzger, Mallorie Metzger, Mollie Metzger and Holden Ludwig. Also sharing in the memory of Jim are brother-in-law Kenneth Campen of Canton and sister-in-law Barbara (John) Madden of Eldridge, Iowa. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. September 13, 2016, at McComb Funeral Home in Jackson, Mo., with American Legion Service at 6 p.m. Funeral services were held Sept. 14 at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, Mo. with Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Burial with military honors was at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, Mo. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the James Nelson Memorial andScholarship fund (Jackson R-2 Foundation) and to the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Giradeau. Condolences may be shared at mccombsfuneralhome.com