James Nelson

JAMES NELSON

James Delbert Nelson, dedicated, generous and loving husband, family man and friend to many, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Jim was born on April 17, 1944 in Iowa City, IA to Delbert and Verda Nelson and spent his youth on the family farm in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. In 1963, as a 19 year old college student, Jim was accepted into the Peace Corps and served in Udaipur, Rajastan, India for two years where he helped to create one of India's first commercial poultry industries.

Jim and Barbara R. Erb were married in Perry, MO on November 22, 1967 and began their married life in San Jose, CA where Jim finished his degree in International Relations at San Jose State University.

In 1970, after serving in the Peace Corps in Colombia, Jim began his international business career with the world's oldest global poultry genetics firms, Cobb Breeding Corporation. Jim was then hired by Arbor Acres Farm with whom he worked and traveled internationally until his retirement as Chairman and CEO and as a Board Member of AAF's parent company, Booker Group UK.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Nelson, his 3 daughters, Andrea Nelson (Pat Standley), Monica Mindel (Seth Mindel), Claire Sanz (Victor Sanz), and his 3 grandchildren, whom he adored, Evelyn Mindel, Samantha Mindel and Lucas Sanz. All of his family is dedicated to carrying on Jim's legacy of curiosity, respect and compassion for other people and cultures. Jim will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.