We have been honored to call this man our Brother. The condolences of Theta Chi’s extended worldwide family are offered to the family and friends of our deceased brothers.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of:

James J. Nelson ‘53

James Joseph Nelson - June 8, 1928 - March 27, 2026

James Joseph Nelson, 97, of Queensbury, N.Y., passed away in his sleep on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Jim was born on June 8, 1928, to Joseph and Goldie Nelson in Oil City, Pa.

He graduated from Oil City High School in 1941 and served in the United States Coast Guard from 1946 until being discharged in 1949 as a Boatswain's Mate.

Jim attended Penn State and graduated in 1953 with a B.S, Degree in Forestry. Jim worked as a Planter on a Rubber Plantation for Firestone in Liberia, West Africa from 1953 to 1956. In 1956, Jim married Gloria Pleger of Oil City, Pa. From 1956 to 1959, Jim worked for Combustion Engineering in Connecticut in startup and sales.

In 1959, Jim returned, with his family, to work with Firestone on rubber plantations located in Harbel and Cape Palmas in Liberia, West Africa. Starting in 1966, Jim worked for Kamyr Corporation as an engineer and sold pulp and paper mill equipment around the world. Jim very much enjoyed his work and retired in 1987. After retirement, Jim sold real estate for about 10 years.

Jim had many interests, including weightlifting, golfing, fly-fishing, skiing, taking care of his lawn, carpentry, fixing things, a good "sundowner", and good people.

Jim and Gloria had two sons, Michael and James (Jimmy). Jimmy was an avid fly fisherman who died young, and Gloria passed in 2013.

He is survived by his son, Mike, and daughter-in-law, Ellen of Woodbridge, Va.; his grandsons, Jeff Nelson of Ellicott City, Md., and Greg Nelson of Charlotte, N.C.; and by his sister-in-law, Eunice Lehrbach of Queensbury, N.Y.

Visiting hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Regan Denny Stafford Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury, NY 12839.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to trout unlimited, www.tu.org, or any other charity that is close to your heart.

For those who wish online condolences can be made to the family by visiting www.sbfuneralhome.com.

Chapter Eternal - Nelson '53