© Strode Funeral Home

Jessie James Nelson, age 91, passed away after a brief illness on June 3, 2026 at his home in Stillwater, OK.

Born amid the Dust Bowl on October 4, 1934, in Chester, Oklahoma, he was the son of the late James and Anna Dalke Nelson.

In addition to his parents, Jess was preceded in death by his siblings David, Tommy, Paul, and Helen Nelson Maloy.

As the third eldest in a family of 8 children, he assumed the financial responsibility for the family while a senior in high school after the death of his father. “Trade and Industry” classes gave him the initial skills to start working while learning. This ethic of working hard, learning more, trying more, becoming more, established the essence of his life. Jess’s commitment to all that he undertook was a reflected of his desire to make a better life for his family, and for his community.

Always “Bodacious”, his life was spirited, bold and impressive. He leaves a legacy of inspiration, mentorship, and generosity toward those who knew him. Jess led many on adventures that were fun, often out in nature, typically a bit risky, and always with “throw your head back and laugh” stories to follow. His gift of witty one-liners was intact until the end. Every Scout that excavated Mammoth remains, every young person who learned to face fear by crossing rushing streams, who worked with him as a “Roof Rider”, or who took on something new and challenging, every civic employee or teacher who had Jess as a role model of leadership with his steady demeanor, dependability, and integrity, each has their own story. Jess’s stories of jumping out of airplanes to fight forest fires in the wilderness sparks wonderment of the joy he found in that risk and responsibility.

He is seen in the Disney movie “A Fire Called Jeramiah” eating cherry pie when called to suit up, hop in a plane and go jump on a fire.
Watch the movie here: https://youtu.be/YqL7ohWzOw4?si=IpVBV1rfvLG4za_e

Family & Loved Ones
He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Persephone Lou McClure Nelson; his sons, Michael & Patrick; his daughters, Julia, Karen & Laura Johnson; his grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Vern, Laura Nelson Stone & Dorthy Nelson Elliott.

Milestones & Achievements
Jess graduated from Clinton public schools before earning his bachelor’s degree at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Jess went on to earn his master’s degree at Oklahoma State University. He spent 18 summers (1955 – 1973) based in Missoula, Montana, as a smokejumper for the National Forest Service parachuting into forest fires along the Rocky Mountain range. His career in education spanned 36 years in Oklahoma starting as a sixth-grade teacher in Buffalo, OK before being the elementary school principal in Shattuck and then Guymon.

Hobbies & Interests
Jess was grateful for the support and guidance he received at an early age from the Salvation Army. Their influence helped develop his spiritual foundation and his life-long passion for helping others without discrimination or judgement. He liked to reflect on how his intent to become a minister was derailed by a college scholarship for future teachers from the PTA. He was active in the United Methodist Church in Guymon. Jess served as a role model to countless young men during his many years in a leadership role for Scouting America (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America). He valued the opportunity to mentor, teach, and help others develop their greatest potential. Jess was always busy, and productive, but if he wasn’t outdoors with his garden or bees, he was planning hunting or fishing trips. His favorite author was Patrick McManus. Jess competed for several years with friends in chili cookoffs using the Hitch Chuck Wagon. Their team won awards, and he reveled in their use of pioneer cooking methods. Although, the absence of a venison chili category was always disappointing. He was well known for making the tastiest jelly. Friends and acquaintances called him when their vines and trees were yielding ripe fruit. Their reward was some of Jess’ jelly, often from a berry patch or orchard he had helped create. He was also known for keeping bees and sharing honey. The hives were moved to better access the bounty of local clover and sunflowers. On one occasion, he was called into service by the highway patrol to assist in containing honey bees from an overturned semi.

Jess served in the United States Army and then reserves from 1958 until 1963 when he was honorably discharged.

Jess credits Toastmasters for his ability to speak in front of large groups. But most would assume his adept skill at speaking, enlightening and entertaining were natural gifts. Jess was a member of the Freemasons reaching the 33rd degree of the Scottish Rite and practiced their philosophy of “Making good men better”. He was also active in the local chapter of the Shriners.

Civic & Community Leadership
• Served on the Guymon City Council for 28 years, the last 14 as the city’s Mayor
• Served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Municipal League for 11 years, including a term as President
• Served as President of the Oklahoma Conference of Mayors
• Served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Municipal Conference for 3 years
• Member of the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals
• Member of the Governor's Workforce and Economic Development Council
• Member of the Fannie Mae Regional Advisory Committee
• Member of the Board of Directors for Leadership Oklahoma Awards & Honors
• In 1995 he became the first and only official ever to receive both the Mayor of the Year and Don Rider awards from the Oklahoma Municipal League.
• In 2001, the Guymon Chamber of Commerce created the "Jess Nelson Community Leadership Award" to honor his career
• Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials, inducted in 2005. You can view the video of his acceptance speech demonstrating his priorities and humility so well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlqF9ggHeR8

• As a long-time volunteer and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, he is the only person ever to receive the Silver Beaver Award from two separate scout councils. It is the highest distinguished service award a council can bestow.
• the Donna Nigh Award for Community Service from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
• the Governor Nigh Mayor Award for the Arts
• the Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate Award
• the Oklahoma Transit Association Award
• the National Hometown Leadership Award
• the 2002 Distinguished Leadership Award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators.

As described by friends and associates, his many achievements can be characterized as being accomplished with "foresight" and "dedication" with "the greatest of social skills" and "unselfish giving" as a "tireless advocate" for Oklahoma. He, however, attributed any honor he received to the efforts of those who worked alongside him. And, of all his accomplishments, Jess frequently stated that his greatest achievements were his children.

Service Information
Memorial services will be open to the public and will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

The memorial will be followed by graveside services attended by the immediate family at the Rosehill Cemetery in Ardmore, OK. For those who cannot attend, the service will be livestreamed at www.strodefh.com