James Nelson

Longtime Alaska and Wasilla resident James (Jim) Clifton Nelson, 63, passed away Oct. 17, 2008 at home with his wife by his side.

A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Bogard Rd., Wasilla, where he was a member for 23 years. Pastor Duane Hanson will officate. In accordance with his wishes, his ashes will be scattered at his favorite fishing hole on the Little Su.

Nelson was born Feb. 13, 1945 to Frank and Betty Nelson in Spokane, Wash. He spent his younger years in Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1963.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1964 and served two tours in Vietnam, achieving the rank of sergeant. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and The Presidential Citation Medal. His family said Nelson was proud of his service to his country and prouder still to be a Marine.

After his military service he returned to Spokane where he lived and began his career as an electrician with Kohler Tower United (KTU), where he worked for almost 20 years. He met and married his first wife of 12 years, Marilyn Summers. Nelson as a loving stepfather to Kim (Tripp), and he and Marilyn were overjoyed when Michelle and John were born into the family, his family said.

During his time with KTU, he traveled to Alaska for work where he met and married his second wife, Teresa Skeen. They enjoyed 24 happy years of marriage and had two sons, Joshua and Jack.

The Nelsons moved from Anchorage to Wasilla in 1984 where they established their business, TJ Electric, which they operated together until his death. He worked simultaneously for 10 years for Arctic Slope Regional Corp. at Endicott on the North Slope.

Nelson was a passionate Wasilla Warrior football and basketball sponsor, booster member and proud parent. He served on the Wasilla Football Booster board and was instrumental in helping with its reorganization. He was also active in and coached youth football (MYFA) for three years. He contributed countless hours, financial support and devotion to the Trinity Luther Child Development Ministry. He continued his commitment to preschool ministry when Good Shepherd Lutheran began its preschool, administered by his wife, Teresa, for 12 years.

His family wrote, “Jim’s favorite pastime was fishing, and he rarely missed a chance to sink a line. He was generous with his catches, always giving them away to friends and family. He enjoyed frequent trips to Las Vegas with Teresa, her parents, Jack and Jill Slack, and his grown children when they came of age.”

Nelson entered into recovery in 1988, and continued to celebrate 20 years of sobriety. His family said he deeply valued the friendship and support he gained from attending his weekly Sunday meetings at the Alano Club in Wasilla.

“Jim was an excellent boss,“ according to his employees. He mentored his employees personally and professionally, and they looked up to him.

“He believed in simplicity and truth and leading by example,” wrote his children. “He was a wonderful father, husband, friend and a decent, kind and humble man. He had a huge heart and a generous spirit. Above all he was devoted to his wife, five children and eight grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.”

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his two brothers, Bob (Kathy) Nelson and Donnie (Jana) Nelson of Spokane, Wash.; his wife, Teresa Nelson; children Kim Hagert, Phoenix, Ore., Michelle (Ahmed) Warren, Port Orchard, Wash., John Nelson, Spokane, and Joshua and Jack Nelson, Wasilla; grandchildren Matthew Hagert, AJ, Tre’, Ahniya, Derrick and Olivia Warren, Phoebe McShane, Timmy Nelson; and additional family members Nelson, Sharifa Nelson and Tom Hagert.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.