James Radford Nelson

Mr. James Radford Nelson, 88, of Stover, went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2012 at 2:05 p.m. in Tipton's Oak Manor Nursing Home.
He was born May 24, 1924 in Bunceton, the son of Albert John and Harriet (Moore) Nelson. He was united in marriage on December 2, 1945, in the Christian Church in Eldon to Virginia R Crismon who survives him in Ambrose Park in Cole Camp.
He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the Navy as an Electrician in the Submarine Service, making five war patrols in the Pacific Theater.
After the war Mr. Nelson worked for 40 years for the Missouri Utilities/Union Electric/Ameren UE Companies in Tipton, Bunceton, Stover, Versailles, and the Lake of the Ozarks area, retiring in 1985 as the local manager for the Versailles office. Mr. Nelson was a 57-year member of the Stover Methodist Church. He was an active Lions Club member, a Boy Scout leader, and a Morgan County R-I School Board member, all in Stover.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He also enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with others, especially at the "farm." He was a regular fixture at the Stover post office, spending more energy catching up with friends… picking up the mail was merely an afterthought. He was a practical jokester, and a teaser, all while being extremely caring. He was a great friend, father, and grandfather. He helped those who needed a hand, encouraged and laughed with those who were down, and had a special place in his heart for children. We are extremely proud of his legacy.
In addition to his wife of 66 years, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph R. and Shirley Knipp Nelson of Tipton and a daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth Ann "Becky" and Lewis Wagner of Kansas City; 13 grandchildren Joseph G. Nelson, Wichita Falls, Texas; Patrick A. and Dana Nelson, Midland, Texas; Maria A. and Chris Gould, Keller, Texas; Christian and Kim Knipp, Wichita, Kansas; Sarah and Justin Schlotzhauer, Tipton; Jared and Stephanie Knipp, Olathe, Kansas
L. Eric Wagner and Wade Marshall, Chicago, Illinois; Miranda B. and Brian Grove, Columbia; Alex James "AJ" and Jannette Wagner, Austin, Texas; Zachary P. Wagner, Austin Texas; James Nelson and Devin Muller, Columbia; Caleb G. Muller, Kansas City and Sarah Virginia Muller, Chicago, Illinois
and 18 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents A.J. and Harriet Nelson; five brothers Thomas, Arthur, Glen, Albert, and John; a daughter Judith Lee (Lewis) Wagner; and a daughter in law Marilyn (Joseph) Nelson.
Funeral services will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, August 18, at the Stover United Methodist Church, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time.
Interment, with military funeral honors, will be in the Stover Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Stover Ministerial Alliance Food Bank.

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