Jim Richard Nelson

Jim Richard Nelson, 33, of Hungry Horse, died Thursday, Sept. 15, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Winnett.

Jim was born Sept. 26, 1971 in Whitefish and has lived all over the state of Montana, most often in the Flathead Valley. As a child he also lived in Alaska and Wyoming. He graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1989 where he met the love of his life, Susan Melven. From September of 1991, they were inseparable. They had two children, Renae and Kalob, and married in February 2001. Jim worked for Plum Creek for many years, but since 2003 has operated his own excavation company, J & S Excavating. Jim also volunteered with the Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Department as Assistant Fire Chief and Chairman of the Board.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He helped coach his daughter's softball and son's baseball teams. He also loved boxing and stock car racing. He loved children and was "Uncle Jimmy" to dozens of kids. Nothing was more important than the children in his life. He donated time and materials to numerous local children's projects.

Survivors include wife, Susan and children, Renae and Kalob, of Hungry Horse; parents, Cliff and Nancy Nelson of Joplin; mother, Elaine Nelson of Kalispell; brothers, Joseph Lesmeister (Patricia) of Browning; Cliff Nelson Jr. (Jenny) of Hungry Horse; John Nelson (Darci) of Ulm and Jay Nelson of Joplin; sisters, Kim Tovey and Jane Sand of Kalispell; Judy Nelson of New York; grandmother, Billie Ribich of Great Falls; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by grandparents, John and Louise Nelson of Hungry Horse; Edward Ribich of Great Falls; Philip and Lena Lesmeister of Kalispell; and uncle, Larry Thompson; and cousin, Chris Thompson of Kalispell.

Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at noon at the Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Station on Highway 2 in Hungry Horse. A potluck reception will be held after the service at Canyon Elementary School on North Street in Hungry Horse.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jim R. Nelson Memorial Fund for Renae and Kalob Nelson at Parkside Federal Credit Union, 1015 9th St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912.