JAMES K. BRADY NELSON
12/23/1927 - 04/05/2023
James K. Brady (Jim) Nelson, age 95, died on April 5, 2023, at home after visits from numerous family and friends, in the care of his wife and daughter and hospice.
Jim was born on December 23, 1927 in Waco, Texas, the younger brother of Sophia Ann, to Thelma Brady Nelson and Victor Magnus Nelson. He lived in Stamford, Texas as a boy while his father worked WPA construction during the depression. Jim made lifelong friends before the family settled in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
He attended Texas A&M University where he was a Ross Volunteer, cadet lieutenant colonel, senior class secretary/treasurer and editor of The Battalion student newspaper. He graduated in 1950 with two bachelor’s degrees in petroleum and mechanical engineering. After serving as 2nd lieutenant in the US Air force, Jim worked as a rough neck in the oil field.
Roger Wolf, founder of
Grey Wolf Drilling Company, became his boss, friend, and then partner before Jim became president and owner in 1978. Jim’s achievements in drilling and rig development were recognized internationally. After retiring, he established Felicity Ventures, working with esteemed accountants and lawyers for investment and venture capital. Ofelia Galvan, trusted assistant, began working for Mr. Nelson in 1986.
Jim married Audrey Calais in 1960. They shared many friends in the oil business and established a beautiful home in Houston. Felicia Cecile was born in 1967, a long-awaited child and beloved daughter. Audrey died in 2013. Jim and Edna Earl Mattei married in 2015--two people with common spiritual values, history at Texas A&M and the oil business who treasured each other.
A life-long Baptist, Jim was a member of River Oaks Baptist Church. Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, and the Texas A&M Catholic Student Center enrichened his spiritual and religious life.
An ardent Aggie, Jim supported football, athletics, and academics. He never missed a home game at Kyle Field. He created many Aggie connections and scholarships for family and friends. He made contributions of time, thinking and financial donations to organizations and institutions that were important to him.
Jim was a rare and generous intellect. He read widely on the history of the world and the thinking of great political leaders. He could discuss every book and author in his collection as if they were a part of his life.
Jim Nelson is survived by daughter, Felicia Cecile Nelson; wife, Edna Earle Mattei Nelson and her children, Braden Mattei and Karyn Saucedo; and by brother-inlaw, William Bland Harrison, Jr. Nieces and nephews who survive their beloved uncle are Victoria Harrison, William Bland (Dub) Harrison III, Ricky Patin, Jr., Marie Patin Trahan, Cecile Patin Guidry, Tony Patin, Billy Patin, Tina LeBlanc Sadoski, Todd Andrus, Winn Andrus, Jr. and their spouses and children and grandchildren. Other family and friends who were special to Jim are too numerous to list.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Thelma Nelson; his sister, Sophia Ann Harrison; his first wife, Audrey Calais Nelson, and many of her family.
A funeral service for Jim Nelson will be held Pallbearers are:
William B. Harrison III, Thomas Frederick (Ricky) Patin, Jr., Keith Anthony (Tony) Patin, William (Billy) Patin, Michael Todd Andrus and Erwin Charles (Winn) Andrus, Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers include:
Ofelia C. Galvan, W. B. Harrison, Bud Hagner, Fred Lee Hughes, James D. Tittle, Robert W. Scott, Robert W. Vacek, Adrian Ryan Guzman, Ed Sadoski, Jay Wehnert, Jimmy Gray and Donald Raymond Henderson
Funeral Services:
Monday April 10, 2023 River Oaks Baptist Church, 2300 Willowick Rd, Houston, TX 77027 10:00am Visitation 11:00am Church Service 12:30pm Reception 3:00pm Burial Service at Memorial Oak Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079