Jimmy G. Nelson

Jimmy G. Nelson, 77, of Abilene, Kan., died July 22, 2019 at his home. Visitation will be Sunday, July 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 29, at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Rd., Manhattan, Kan.  Please do not arrive at cemetery before 12:45 p.m. Jimmy was born December 19, 1941 at Belle Ellen, Ala., to Ruby and Frances (Kornegay) Nelson.  He was a high school graduate and worked as a tree trimmer in Alabama until moving to Clay Center where he worked as a welder for Hutchinson Mayrath. He loved the outdoors, gardening, watching birds and animals. On July 3, 1965, he was united in marriage to Jeanette Lehman at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Linn.  They later divorced. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Mike and William; and sister, Ruby Elizabeth. Survivors include his daughters, Shelley McClain, Seneca, Kan., Kim (Stan) Johnson, Kelly, Kan. ; son, Darrin (Galenna) Nelson, Topeka; sisters, Alice Ferguson, Betty George, Martha Glover, Sandra Nelson Smith and Deborah Matta; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jimmy G. Nelson, please visit our flower store.