James William Nelson

James "Jim" William Nelson, 85, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

He was born November 3, 1940, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of George and Frances (Lynch) Nelson. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1959, and attended Washburn University. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard.

Jim was an accountant for Fleming Foods, B.B. Anderson Construction Company, and Kansas Electric Cooperatives. He retired in 2001.

He was an active member for many years in the Topeka Stamp Club. Jim was also a member of Town and Country Christian Church in Topeka.

James married Glenda Pelton on May 12, 1964, in Topeka. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his children Tami (Dan) Lightfoot, Miller, Kansas; Kevin (Vicky) Nelson, Topeka, Kansas; Kim Nelson (Rick Seifert), Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren Sean (Shanna) Buchholz, Topeka, Kansas; Colton (Nicole) Tyler, Osage City, Kansas; Aaron (Claire Leffingwell) Nelson, Stillwater, Oklahoma; Taylor (Brett) Ashwill, Rossville, Kansas; great- grandchild Noah Tyler; step grandchildren Angela Reeves, Osage City, Kansas; Brittany (Cody) Echler, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Darren Lightfoot, Lawrence, Kansas; Chad (Mary) Lightfoot, Ridgecrest, California; nine step great-grandchildren; and brother Norman (Vicki) Nelson, Peoria, Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at Town and Country Christian Church, 4925 SW 29th Street, Topeka, at 10:30 A.M. on June 18, 2026. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place following the service at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jim's honor to Midland Hospice House, 120 SW Frazier, Topeka, Kansas, 66614, or Town and Country Christian Church, 4925 SW 29th Street, Topeka, Kansas, 66614.

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