James Nelson

St. George, UT - James Max Nelson, 85, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2013 of natural causes surrounded by his family. He was born May 19, 1928 in Lehi, Utah to Amanda Curtis and James Elden Nelson.

From a young age, Jim learned the value of hard work and never let any challenge slow him down. He spent more than 30 years as a general contractor in Utah and California, operations manager at the Thomas & Mack Center in Nevada, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Alaska from 1952-1954.

Jim was never known as a shy person. He loved meeting new people, building friendships, and having the chance to share his experiences, memories and testimony with everyone he came in contact with.

The best decision Jim ever made was to marry the love of his life, Clarice Earl, in Downey, Calif. on June 22, 1950. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona temple on March 26, 1955. He and his beautiful, redheaded spouse enjoyed nearly 63 years together raising their family, serving a mission in Kentucky for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and loving every minute they spent with each other.

Jim is survived by his wife, Clarice; son Edward and wife Leslie; daughter Susan and husband Kirk, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Morningside LDS Stake Center at 870 S. River Road, St. George, Utah 84790. A viewing will be held from 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. followed by the funeral at noon. Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery.