James D Bradford ‘Jim’ Nelson, 88, died April 9, 2021 at Northcare Hospice House, North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, MO. He was a resident of Lane, Kansas. Jim was born April 25, 1932 in Goodland, Kansas to James ‘Russell’ and Myrtle Rose Allee (Hallum) Nelson. He graduated in 1950 from Yates Center, Kansas High School. Jim married Hettie ‘LaVonne’ McClaflin on Dec. 23, 1952 in Pond Creek, Oklahoma. They divorced in Kansas City, Missouri in 1995.
Jim is survived by his daughter Karen ‘Marette’ Hopkins and husband Craig Allen of Kansas City, MO. Granddaughter Nicole Linn ‘Nici’ (Crockett) and husband Michael Dean Freeze of Kansas City, MO; and her daughters Alexis Michelle ‘Lexi’ Vestal and Emma Sophia Crockett; grandson Shaun Ryan Crockett and wife Janelle Sue (Gaston Rader) of Chillicothe, MO; and his daughters Bailey Renee Crockett of Kansas City, MO and Addison Claire ‘Addie’ Crockett of Hale, MO. Sons Russell ‘Kent’ Nelson and wife Shannon Marie (Vrtiska) of Excelsior Springs, MO; Richard ‘Kirk’ Nelson and partner Bruce Edward Winter of Kansas City, MO. Sisters Nina ‘Jean’ (Wilson Boyd ‘Bill’) Smith, Derby, KS; Evalyn ‘Joy’ (Benjamin Lewis ‘Ben’) Pagenkopf, Sun City, AZ; and Judith Raeanna ‘Judy’ (Jack Richard) Wolfe, Nocona, TX. Sister-in-law Janice Faye ‘Jan’ (Fuller) Nelson of Belton, MO and former wife H. LaVonne of Kansas City, MO. Survived by several nieces and nephews, step-grandson Christian Thomas Vrtiska and step-great grandchildren Anna-Marie Grace ‘Annie’ Freeze of Kansas City, MO; Hunter Michael, Sheldon Lee and Carter Weston Rader of Chillicothe, MO..
Jim was predeceased by his parents, infant daughter Kelly Marie Nelson, brother Harvey Jerrall ‘Jerry’ Nelson, and niece Brenda Elaine (Smith) Stewart Dunham.
Jim served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. His rank upon discharge was AT2 – Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer 2nd Class. He received the National Defense, Good Conduct, and China Service Medals. He retired from the US Government, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). He enjoyed golf and hunting.
Jim was cremated and buried in Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Sister ,Nocona ,Texas
I will always miss the most wonderful brother in the world
Granddaughter ,Kansas City ,Missouri
I hope you and Uncle Jerry are having your best round of golf ever in heaven. My heart breaks at losing the best grandpa a girl could ever ask for! I love you always grandpa ❤
cousin ,Independence ,Kansas
I just found out the Jim had passed away. I have very fond memories of Jim. I didn't know very well until my Dad, Don got sick. Jim would spend hours at the hospital with Dad. Throughout the years he was was always visiting and checking on Dad. Even though I didn't see Jim much since Dad passed away but I will will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
