James Martin Nelson was born on 11/4/1928 in Grand Forks, ND and passed away from Alzheimer disease on 12/27/2009 in Kent, WA. James and his young family moved out to Seattle in 1961 to pursue his career as a bricklayer mason. He built many buildings over his 40 years throughout the Seattle area many of which are located at the University of Washington. He served in the Army as a Corporal in the Korean War and was honorably discharged. His greatest passion was tinkering with his 1936 Ford pick-up and created an extended cab because he did not have enough leg room. He called it Homade and it is very cool. He excelled at finding solutions where others thought there werent any. James is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene, of 59 years and leaves behind daughters Carla, Jodell, Jayme, Tamara, and sons Marc, David, as well as 13 grandchildren, 3 great granddaughters and 1 great grandson. Three children predeceased Brenda, Victoria, and Ronald. James was a devoted, loving, hardworking husband/father/brother/uncle/grandfather and will be truly missed by all who loved him.