Jim Richard Nelson, 33

Jim Richard Nelson, 33, of Hungry Horse, died Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Winnett.

Jim was born Sept. 26, 1971, in Whitefish, and has lived all across 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 and Patricia of Browning, Cliff Nelson Jr., and Jenny of Hungry Horse, John Nelson and Darci of Ulm, and Jay Nelson of Joplin; sisters, Kim Tovey and Jane Sand of Kalispell, and 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; Edward Ribich; Philip and Lena Lesmeister; uncle, Larry Thompson; and cousin, Chris Thompson.

Services will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Station on U.S. 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.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is in charge of the arrangements.