James W. Jim Nelson, 98, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died Friday, May 1, 2015, at his home. Mr. Nelsons wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at the Abundant Life Christian Center, 3411 W. Faidley Av., in Grand Island. The Rev. Stephen Warriner will officiate. The family will greet friends with a lunch after the service. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Jim was born November 20, 1916, at Frankfort, SD. He was the son of Victor and Viola (Booze) Nelson. Survivors of his immediate family include his wife Rose Nelson of Grand Island, NE Their daughter, Lori and Kevin Sabata of Walden, CO Jim and Nellies children, James Nelson of Aurora, NE Judy Tolliver of Springfield, NE Janette and Gerald Blake of Dannebrog, NE Janice and Bob Wicht of St. Libory, NE Stepchildren and their spouses, Glen Larsen of Grand Island, NE Earl Larsen of LaPort, CO Lynn and Phyllis Larsen of Shepherd, MT Others left to cherish his memory include his 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and one great great grandson. Jim grew up along the Missouri River in Bellevue, NE, and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1937. He worked at CACC Camps in Weeping Water, Pawnee City, Roubaix, SD. He entered the U. S. Coast Guard on July 27, 1940. While in the Coast Guard he completed Resident Radio School and High-Frequency Direction Finder School. He was honorably discharge on October 25, 1945. He returned to Nebraska and was employed at McFaydens and Schmoller & Mueller Piano Co. in Omaha. He was united in marriage to Nellie Fay Simons on Dec 27, 1945. They moved to GI in 1949 and he was employed as an electrical engineer at the U.S. Monitor Station. He also did radio and television repair for Sears Roebuck & Co. He retired from the Monitor Station in 1985. He married Rose Marie Borer in July 1970 in Hastings, NE. In his retirement he was a door greeter at Walmart later working in the hardware and paint departments. He retired from Walmart in 2012. He enjoyed spending time with his family and the activities of his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, building bird houses, camping, hunting and was an inventor. He was a member of the VFW. Memorials are suggested to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Ricky Nelson, step son, Craig Larsen and infant step daughters, Rita Marie Larsen, Julie Ann Larsen. Online condolences may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Jims obituary.