James Nelson

James “Jim” Durwood Nelson of Ankeny passed away on May 28, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer, at age 72. Jim was born on July 20, 1949, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Bernice Pearl Nelson and Durwood Freeman Nelson. Jim graduated from Central Webster of Burnside High School in 1967, after which he attended Des Moines Skill Center, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Patricia Marie Nelson-Rogoff. Jim and Patricia married on September 11, 1970, and remained married until her passing in 2019.
Jim loved to participate in different sports throughout his life, including baseball, softball, football, and basketball. Later in life, Jim was a coach, mentor, and fan, and even served as President/Vice President of the Southtown Industrial Bowling League for many years. He was a diehard Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins fan. Jim was a true John Wayne fan and enjoyed spending his time playing poker and reading military history. He had a personality that always saw the positive side of life and the good in others.
Humor was paramount in his world view and you could always tell if he liked somebody if he teased them.
Jim began his career in the automotive parts industry at Sasco Auto Parts of Des Moines, after which he worked at Hawkeye Auto Supply for 18 years, as a warehouse foreman. Jim then worked for and eventually retired from K-Tool International in 2009.
Jim had an obsessive love for his family and all his efforts were directed toward their welfare and happiness.
Jim was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, his son David, and his wife. He is survived by his son Jimmy, grandchildren James and Lindsey, brother Bill (Pamela) Nelson, his sister Ella Diane and many nieces and nephews.

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