James Thomas Nelson II, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 19, 2014.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014 between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at Lohman Funeral Home Daytona. A prayer service will begin in the Chapel at 7:00 P.M.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M., on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at The Basilica of St. Paul Catholic Church. Entombment will immediately follow at Daytona Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors.
James was born to Katherine M. and Frank J. Nelson at Bohanan's Hospital, Third Street, Daytona Beach, Florida. His formative education was completed at St. Paul's School, Daytona Beach, Florida, Marion Military Institute, University of Alabama and graduation from Stetson University - School of Law. He then joined the United States Navy. He served as a Naval Intelligence officer and was honorably discharged in 1946.
After the war he opened his law practice on Beach Street in Daytona Beach. Along with his law practice, he presided over Volusia's first small claims court for 12 years. He was appointed by then Florida Gov. Cecil Farris Bryant as a circuit court judge and served from 1964 until retiring in 1991.
In his earlier personal life he attained an Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a past member of the American Bar Association, Jaycees, Lions Club, Quarterback Club, Bath and Tennis Club, Oceans Dunes Club, Daytona Beach Golf Club, Oceanside Country Club, Halifax River Yacht Club, local Boy Scouts of America and later Little League Parents Association.
He married Virginia Lee Horsley and soon the sound of children filled their home. Family and friends were always very important to them. Happy pastimes included playing golf, bridge, handball , surfing, swimming and boating. Of all his pastimes, golf was his favorite with his golfing buddies.
He is predeceased by his parents, Katherine M. and Frank J. Nelson, sisters, Mary Francis, Hazel Taurchini and Claire Wagner. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Nelson, sister, Suzanne (Ormond Beach; and Family) Hull, daughters, Linda (Robert) Rieck (Junction, TX; and Family) Kathy (Terry) Chick (Ormond Beach; and Family), sons, Steve Nelson (Palm Coast; and Family), Frank (Judy) Nelson (Holly Hill; and Family) and Thomas Nelson (Eustis; and Family) and many precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Worc Work Haven, Easter Seals or Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lohman Funeral Home Daytona. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com