James Owen Nelson Sr.

James "Jim" Owen Nelson Sr., 61, of Ridott, died Monday October 6, 2014 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford. James was born August 19, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Jerome and Mildred (Rowlands) Nelson. Jim married Valerie Rothermel in Freeport on October 30, 2004, in Freeport. James held many roles throughout the years including Sales and Marketing Director, Business Development Manager, and Senior Sales Executive for TRW, Rockwell International, The Boeing Company, Honeywell Sensing Control, Schneider Electric-Systron Donner Inertial Division, Arens Controls, AJR International Inc., and currently employed at Grammer EiA Electronics as a regional accounts manager. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Jim liked antique tractors and cars, gourmet cooking, and he had a heart for animals. Surviving are his wife, Valerie Rothermel-Nelson of Ridott, son, Jamie (Tania) Nelson of San Diego, CA., daughter, Kelly (Nick) Stapleton-Zavala of San Diego, CA., brother, Dr. Rev. Thom (Cindy) Nelson of Jacksonville, IL., sister, Sara (Niall) Finn of Woodbury, MN., brother-in-law, Brad (Kathy) Rothermel of Durand, IL. Also surviving is his granddaughter, Spencer Nelson, and mother and father in law, Delmar and Vi Rothermel of Shannon, IL. James was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday October 11, 2014 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Rev. Gardy Cronk will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:00 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Friends Forever Humane Society in Jim's memory . Please sign the guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.