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James Nelson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for James Nelson
Todd Pafford
November 29, 2011
Jim's art has always struck a deep chord with me and if pressed I might just call him my favorite artist. His booth at the festival was always a favorite of mine and if I wasn't careful I'd wander out of there with an armload of his art. I can't say I ever really got to know Jim, but he was always a friendly smiling face. I missed him when he closed up his booth and quit the circuit and I miss him more so now that he's gone. The world is a poorer place without Jim and his art.
Christina Arden
November 29, 2011
Jim, being born in the same year, we were supposed to age together until I allowed my hair to turn white like yours.
You are already missed by your friends at Sterling, as you moved back to Texas a while ago and closed up your booth. As Geoff said, I worked at your booth for a time and tried to help you get through on especially hard season when you were Ill.
You were so talented an artist, so true a liberal, so modest a musician, and so funny a friend. I will never forget you. Like so many others, your art hangs in my home. Rest peacefully, my dog-loving friend.
Patty Wood
November 29, 2011
Dear Jim,
So many memories, so many friends.. Some day we will all gather together again at the great festival. Our Faire family is huge, and our tears fall like rain. love you...
Geoffrey Hopkins
November 29, 2011
It seems like I've known Jim my whole life...as a kid at the Sterling faire I'd wander into his booth a few times a season for new bookmarks, postcards to send to friends, and to banter with the crotchety artist within. Years later my mum worked for him in that same booth, trying (and failing) to help him organize and laughing at his jokes. Jim and I used to stay up late at his house in Fair Haven playing music and talking into the wee hours...he used to let me stay with him when I'd be in town visiting friends. Every move, every new place I've lived his portrait of Bodge finds a new home...and now he's gone. I'm missing you Jim. Missing you playing Ashoken Farewell on your fiddle, missing your gruff humour, and missing your beautiful talent.
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Tony Guida
November 29, 2011
Jim was a sweet man, a great friend for many years, and a very talented artist. He touched many hearts. I'll miss him.
Barbara and Rick Heinen
November 29, 2011
You, with your gentleness and talent will be so missed.. it was an honor to be your friends. This world is not an ending, a future lies beyond...
Ian Temple
November 29, 2011
Jim was a friend i had yet to meet, but we will one day, when my turns come and then we will be true friends together.
Ian (Wildfox of the Dorsetgrove)
Janet Wylde
November 28, 2011
My fondest memory of Jim is when he and my son Leon who was 4 yrs.old at the time did a ventriloquist act at the Waxahachie Talent Show(1983). Jim was such a talented and lovable guy. He will be missed by many.
Condolences to Jim's family. Peace
Rani Vecera
November 28, 2011
Light always follows a spirit like yours. You will continue to be loved.
Diane Bonaccorsi
November 28, 2011
So sorry for your loss. I will always remember Jim's incredible sense of humor and laughing so hard while we sat around the dinner table, making it very hard to eat our dinner. He was big part of our family and we are so happy to have Jim in our hearts. Love you Jim.
Beth Ann
November 28, 2011
Jim, I will remember you with warm and loving memories...
November 28, 2011
Always wished for more time just to hang out with Jim. I'm sure i'll see him sooner or later! Miss him for now though. Joseph W. Smith Smith II
Richard Copeland
November 28, 2011
Jim was a twinkling star who birthed into this Earth to share his gentleness, wonderful art and loving spirit. Thank you for sharing your specialness with me and all you touched. You will be missed and remembered with a smile.
Bill Jezzard
November 28, 2011
I knew Jim for almost 40 years. We showed at many of the same shows. I treasure the work of his that I have. He wood-burned a beautiful dragon scene on the leather cover of our wedding album.
He was a true renaissance man, a supremely talented graphic artist and talented musician. He had a gentle heart and loved his family. The world was better for him being in it and poorer for his leaving it so soon. I'll miss him.
Jim had eyes like Einstien's I recomended he make this doplganger image for face book.
Jeff Semmerling
November 28, 2011
Maggie Gallant-Robinson
November 28, 2011
Jim will be so missed by so many! He was not only extraordinarily talented, but a great guy, as well.
Nick Newlin
November 28, 2011
Joanne and I will remember Jim fondly; his sense of humor, his gentle spirit, his wise presence, his amazing art, and all those qualities that made him a very special and unique friend. We will miss you, Jim. Peace be with you.
Ruth Pannell
November 28, 2011
Thank you Jim for the art and inspiration and joy you brought to so many. RIP.
John Fisher
November 28, 2011
Jim will be missed by all that knew him...see you down the road friend
Penni Palthe
November 28, 2011
Love and miss you Jim, thank you so much for sharing your life with us these many, many years. See you over that rainbow in just a bit..:-)
Sallie & Marvin Schulman
November 28, 2011
Jim was not only a great artest; he also had a good heart and was a friend who found a place in our heart. Jim you will be missed.
Krista Nagel
November 28, 2011
Jim was a talent indeed and had the warmest calmest heart I have ever encountered. He will be missed by many and remembered always. All the best to his family... you are in many prayer circles on this day and the days to come.
Donna Baric-Kinney
November 28, 2011
I am very sorry for your loss. My husband and I knew Jim back in the 90's at Sterling, when all the musicians hung out around his shop. He introduced my husband to origami and a thousand cranes later my husband was hooked. Even though we have not seen him in years, his art touches us everyday.
November 28, 2011
JIm was, in addition to a great artist and musician, the guy who got me started in origami. He also kept many of us dry and comfortable at the Sterling Renaissance festival by letting us take over the back of his booth. Goodbye, Jim, we hadn't spoken in ages, but I'll miss you- your art still adorns our walls, and some of our favorite CDs.
Nick Newlin
November 28, 2011
Jim was a sweet soul, and he walked gently and quietly on the earth, and yet he touched many with his humor, his amazing art, and his wise presence. We will miss having him as a friend, and will carry a piece of him in our hearts always. Rest peacefully, friend.
Misti Bernard
November 28, 2011
What a bright light of a human being Jim was, filling the world with his vision of beauty. I was privileged to know him.
Terri Cabral Sean Poole
November 28, 2011
Jim your art was spectacular. You were a sweet & kind person & friend. You will always be remembered. Our condolences to your family. Love you, Sean Poole & Terri Cabral
Kristen Meaders
November 28, 2011
Jim, your kind and gentle soul will be missed on this planet. Thank you for sharing your gift of art with all of us. I'm grateful to have known you and wish you peace, my friend.
Jim Hancock
November 28, 2011
Jim Nelson and I shared many bonds, the least of which was two thirds of our names (He: James Darsey Nelson, Me: James Nelson Hancock). We played many tunes together, and he created the art for several of my early albums. He truly lives on in the wonderful artwork he created and disseminated during his too-short life, from album covers to poster art for festivals, wonderful prints and astounding scrimshaw. He is loved and respected by a great many people, and will be dearly missed.
Jeff Semmerling
November 28, 2011
Jim Nelson had eyes that dazzled, inspired and saw beauty all around them. He leaves us too soon with thousands of works of art that will be loved for centuries! I miss him so much! Rest in Joyous memories!
Chris Youngblood
November 28, 2011
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a fine artist, musician and person.
Douglas Kondziolka
November 28, 2011
Jim was a delightful and amazing man. Gentle in Spirit, passionate in his ideals, a musician and fine, fine artist. He will be missed by many. Sweet Blessings to you, old friend.
Tracy Lynn Tucker
November 28, 2011
Jim made our world a funnier, kinder and more beautiful place to be. I will miss you my friend.
Scott Hendricks
November 28, 2011
I had just sent a facebook friend request to Jim early Nov. I am sad I didn't get to touch bases with him after all these years. He was a nice person and a fine artist and when I think of my career beginings at Renaissance Festivals, I will always think fondly of Jim.
Debi Jezzard
November 28, 2011
Jim was a gentle soul who shared his talents as a musician and visual artist in his renaissance community from N.Y. to Texas. He is missed by all who knew him.
Tamara Dwyer
November 28, 2011
Jim's gentle humour and fine artistic skills will be deeply missed. Condolences to family and friends. Thank you to Mrs. Maxine Nelson, on this, Jim's birthday, for blessing this world with such a fine person. Happy birthday, Jim.
Rosemary Rivera
November 28, 2011
Jim was an amazing person. He will be missed.
Cindy Wexler
November 28, 2011
There is much to be said for the life of an artist - Jim's influence is nationwide, because everywhere he went, people collected and appreciated his work. We will miss him as we travel the places we shared.
Melanie Mundy
November 28, 2011
Jim was such an wonderful musician, artist and friend. He will be missed by me greatly. I met him 25 years ago and enjoyed his energy, smile and gentle nature.
He was a part of the Renaissance Festival Community for many years and enriched thousands of folks with his art.
Much love to his family. I am so sorry for their loss.
Donald Heller
November 28, 2011
Jim was a hero in our renaissance faire counter culture. He was a talented visual artist as well as a fine musician. We only learned of his death recently, more than three weeks after the event. Tears are falling all over the country. The picture is of Jim and another dearly departed musician, Malcom Smith.
Larry Wood
November 28, 2011
Jim was a good man and a gentle spirit. He is and will be dearly missed in the community of artists who knew and loved him. My thoughts and Blessings go out to his family.
Patty Lindquist
November 28, 2011
Jim had many friends on the Renaissance festival circuit who are only now hearing of his passing- I was very sad to hear. He was a good man, a great artist whose work I will cherish, and a friend. He helped me, encouraged me, and we had many talks over the years. We have lost one of us, and we are poorer for it. Godspeed, Jim.
Sheryll Lamkin
November 28, 2011
Jim was a good and true friend with a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.
November 10, 2011
We would like to say how sorry we are to hear about Jim's untimely passing. We will miss him and enjoy his artwork on our walls every day. We would like to know when the service will be.
Sincerely,
Robert and Toppin Hodge (Albuquerque, NM)
Tracy Yates
November 9, 2011
My condolences to Jimmy's family. I knew Jimmy back in the 70's & 80's. I have some pieces of his work. He was very talented indeed, and a cool human being. I know he will be sorely missed.
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