James Audran "Jim" Nelson passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010, in Midland, Texas, at the age of 85. He was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, to his parents, James J. and Sue B. Nelson, on February 26, 1924.Jim grew up in various Louisiana locations and was one of the youngest of eleven children. He is preceded in death by his parents and his 10 siblings. He attended Louisiana schools, graduating from high school in Hodge, Louisiana, in 1942.He joined the U.S. Army in 1942 to participate in World War II. He applied for and was accepted as a Cadet in the U.S. Army air Corp. Following training, he obtained the level of Lieutenant and flew C-47's over "The Hump" in the China/Burma/India Theater of U.S. Operations. He was a proud American and Patriot, and his later years, served as a volunteer at the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland. He was very knowledgeable about American history, especially the war years, and passed much of his knowledge on to visitors to the Museum. He, along with other volunteers, took the Museum's Footlocker Program into area schools, where he taught the children about the history of those times and of the price that has been paid for our freedom.Following the war, with the help of the G.I. Bill, Jim entered Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he earned a BS in Geology in 1950. He married Maxine Darsey, a native of Haughton, Louisiana, in 1946, and they were happily married for 63 years, celebrating their anniversary on December 26, 2009, with all of immediate family present. They had two children, James Darsey "Jimmy" Nelson, who lives in Midland, and Nancy D. Hilgendorf, who lives with her husband Bryon in Jeffersonville, Indiana. They have two grandchildren, Andrew C. Gotcher of College Station, and Amy Caroline Gotcher, currently living in Switzerland. He was proud of each member of his family, and they were the main source of his pride and joy. He also considered himself to be "granddad" to special friends Rick and Susan King's two daughters, Laura and Erin.Jim pursued a career as an Exploration Geophysicist throughout his life. He became a Consulting Geophysicist in 1973. He was a longtime member of AAPG and several other exploration organizations.He was a member of the Firs Baptist Church in Midland for over fifty years, where he was active in ushering and teaching young people. In later years, he was a member of the men's class in the James Department.A "Gathering of Friends" will be held in Midland at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home located at 3800 N. Big Spring Street in Midland from 2 to 4 p.m., on Sunday, January 17, 2010. Interment will be at Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana, at a date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Commemorative Air Force (CAF) – American Airpower Heritage Museum at P.O. Box 62000, Midland, TX 79711-2000 or Martha Adams Scholarship Fund c/o First Baptist Church at 2104 West Louisiana Ave., Midland, TX 79701. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
