James D. Nelson, 79, of Cary, N.C., formerly of Rome, N.Y., went home to be with the Lord on Sunday.

He was born on May 1, 1935, in Russellton, the son of the late Dewitt and Ethel Brislin Nelson.

He was a graduate of Penn Township High School and Empire State College. He recently received his master's degree at age 77 from North Carolina Central University.

Jim spent 20 years in the military. He served his first three years in the U.S. Navy and the next 17 in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1973. He was able to travel extensively while serving as a flight chief and served two deployments during the Vietnam War.

Jim was introduced to the love of his life, Lorraine Noble, by her brother, who was his Air Force friend, and they were married on May 16, 1959. They had 33 wonderful years before she went home on May 1, 1993.

Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he went to work for the New York State Park Police in 1974 and retired in 1995 as the chief of the Central Region.

Mr. Nelson moved to North Carolina and settled in Cary. Since he really was not the retiring type, he started his third career as a veteran's representative for the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. After retiring from there, he put his experience and knowledge to work teaching criminal justice at Durham Technical Community College until his passing.

Jim's one lifelong passion was his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He was active in many churches where ever he lived and gave generously to the Lord's work.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. One of his primary goals in his later years was to encourage all his beloved grandchildren in their pursuit of higher education.

He is survived by his two daughters and his son-in-law, Cynthia Clover of Syracuse, N.Y., and Rhonda and Donald Catlin of Garner, N.C.; his sister, Marian Tritsch of Butler; his five grandchildren, Justus Stahrr, Aaron Stahrr, James (Katherine) Catlin, Holly Catlin and Faith Catlin; his great-grandson, James Daniel Catlin; his step great-granddaughter, Caroline Montgomery; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Andres, and his brother, Raymond Nelson.

Nelson— The friends of James D. Nelson, who passed away Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Rome, N.Y.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Catherwood officiating. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy and view the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com.