James Nelson

James Nelson

September 17, 1949 - June 27, 2023

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Obituary

James Selmer Nelson of Billings was born on September 17, 1949, in Scobey MT to Richard and Flossie Nelson. He was the oldest of eight children. As his younger siblings, we all remembered him as a big tease, always with a joke or pun. Jim attended all 12 years of school in Scobey. And of course, part of that time included The Band (name unmentioned): Jim on the organ, his brother John on drums, his brother Joe as the road crew & special effects, along with various friends on guitars.


After graduation, Jim attended one year at the College of Great Falls and then pursued a career in computer programing at MSU in Bozeman, MT. Over the years, he worked for a number of large companies, doing computer programing, and living in different cities around the US. He had a brilliant mind, especially when it came to computers, math, and the sciences.


Jim also spent time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil. His true character and heart were most visible when he was helping others. He loved kids, working as a lifeguard at the Scobey pool, helping kids in the schools in Billings, and spending time (and teasing) with his nieces and nephews. Each one of them has a special story with Uncle Jim. He was a gentle, friendly man who made friends easily. He could talk to anyone, and when remembered, it usually brought up a smile or a joke.


Jim is survived by his mother, Flossie Nelson, and his many siblings and in-laws: John Nelson, Joe (Carolyn) Nelson, Julie (Stan) French, Jennifer Nelson, Jocelyn (Joe) Nelson Watmuff, Jane Nelson, and Richard (Cindy) Nelson, and his loving companion and best friend of 29 years, Char Rollman (with pooch, Kenzie). He also has many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.


We lost this wonderful man on June 27, 2023, but we are comforted in knowing that he was welcomed home by his God and our Dad and other family members. Be at peace, Jim. You have carried a heavy cross all these years and are now free. Know you are loved and will be sorely missed.


Join us for a celebration of Jim's life and our love for him on July 27th at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Billings, MT.

Mental illness is a terrible disease, but no more so than when it hits so close to home. We, as Jim's family, request that remembrances be sent to South Central Regional Mental Health Center, 2125 8th Ave North, Billings, MT 59101, (800) 266-7198, or https://mhcbillings.org/donate

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James
DG
Dave Gunderson
Other •
Another Brother gone. RIP Jim many memories from our fraternity days.
JN
Jocelyn Nelson
Other •
I'll never be able to drive by a highway sign that says "Do Not Pass" without thinking of my brother. Jim would always comment, "We're going through Donut Pass again," always with a chuckle and a teasing twinkle in his eyes. I miss you Jim.
DP
Deanne Pelatt
Other •
I met Jim through my cousin Char, so we had many interactions over the years. Jim was always so kind and friendly. He genuinely cared about people he met and interested in what they had to say. When he met my little granddaughters for the first time, they immediately wanted to hang around him. I know they sensed his gentle and kind spirit. We are so sad he is no longer with us on earth but know he is watching over all of his loved ones from above. RIP in Peace, Jim! You are loved by so many.
SD
Sean Davin
Other •
When we were growing up, going to Scobey was what we looked forward to most of all. Seeing our grandparents and our cousins was the best! Going downtown and to the park and the pool was fun. Jim would sit with me at the piano in the living room at their house and he taught me how to play all my favorite tunes. I'll always remember him showing me the intro to "Light My Fire". I can still play it just the way he showed me.
TS
Tom Stebbins
Other •
Great picture and very much how I remember him from the SipEp house when I was there. Quiet and a smile, and willing to help me on computer stuff that made no sense. I knew him as Selmer and counted him as a friend. So sorry to learn this and my heart aches for those who loved him most! God Bless to all.
CB
Ciera Bellamy
Other •
Jim was known at our house as ‘Papa Jim’ to my daughter Chesney. I met Jim and Char in 2007 when I had just started working at a sandwich shop called Pickle Barrel. It was well established among all of the teenage staff there that Jim and Char were basically an institution—we would time our breaks for a chance to sit and talk to our favorite customers. That friendship evolved into lunches and dinners (that weren’t sub sandwiches), and into really feeling like our family. Jim and Char were kind enough to spend birthdays, Halloweens with us. Jim and Char would babysit Chesney while I was going through nursing school once a week—I don’t know anyone other than Jim who could get as excited as her about the Lion King soundtrack and animal crackers. Without a doubt, some of my favorite nights were the late night conversations at the kitchen table with Jim and Char. We love you, Jim.

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