Jay Nelson

Jay Adrian Nelson of Genesee died September 3, 2018 at his home. He was 84.

Jay  Adrian  Nelson  was  born  in  Lewiston,  Idaho  on  March  28,  1934,to  Adrian  and  Ida  Nelson. His  maternal  and  paternal  grandparents  both  homesteaded  in  north  Idaho  and  Jay  lived  most  of his  life  on  the  family  farm  east  of  Genesee,  Idaho.  He  was  a  long-time  farmer,  Latah  County Commissioner  and  South  Latah  County  Highway  commissioner.

Jay  graduated  from  Genesee  High  School  in  1952  and  attended  Boise Junior  College  for  one year  before  joining  the  Army.    Upon  conclusion  of  his  service  in  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  he attended  the  University  of  Idaho  before  joining  his  father  Adrian on the  family  farm.

On  a  spring  day  in  March  of  1963, Jay  met  Charlotte  Sampson  in  Moscow,  Idaho.    Being  a farmer,  spring  work  needed  to  be  completed  before  a  whirlwind courtship  could  commence. They  were  married  after  harvest  on  September  14,  1963  and  were  married  for  fifty-five  years.

Jay was very involved in his community.  He  loved  people  and  working  to  help  our  region  as a Latah  County  commissioner  and  as  a  South  Latah  County  Highway  commissioner.    He  was  well known  for  his  ability  to  thoughtfully  and  calmly  work with  all  people  regarding  issues  of  concern in  Latah  County. Jay  and  his  father  Adrian  both  served  as  South  Latah  County  Highway District commissioners  covering  the  years  from

1936 to 2007.

Jay  also  was  on  the  Association  of  Idaho  State  Highway  Commissions  (1994  to  96)  and  served on  the  North  Central  Idaho  Economic  Development  Council(1980  to  1986).    He served  on  the Genesee  Union  Warehouse  Board  (1984  to  1990)  and  the  Idaho  State  Job  Training  Council (1984- 86)  and  was  a  member  of  Masons,  Shriners,  the  American  Legion  and  a  4H  Leader.

Jay  and  Charlotte  loved  spending  time  at  their  cabin  on  Sunup  Bay  on  Lake  Coeur  d'Alene where  he  enjoyed  fishing  and  playing  with  his  children  and  grandchildren.  They also enjoyed their yearly trip to Hawaii with close friends.

Jay  is  survived  by  his  wife  Charlotte  at  the  family  home  in  Genesee,  daughter  Susan  Lynn,  and sons  David  (Nancy)  and  Dan  (Annie).    He has five grandchildren (Amanda, Brandan, Kate, Nick and Sam).  He  is  also  survived  by  his  sister  Patricia  Peterson and  brother  Kay  Nelson.

A  memorial  service  will  be  held  at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at  the  Genesee  Community  Church. A luncheon and time of fellowship will be at the Genesee Senior Center following. A private burial will be at the Genesee City Cemetery prior to the memorial service.

Memorial  donations  can  be  made  to  the  Genesee  Education  Foundation  (330  West  Ash Street,  Genesee  ID,  83832), the  Shriners  Hospitals  for  Children  (911  5th Ave.,  Spokane  WA 99204)  or  the  memorial  fund  at  the  Genesee  Community  Church  (118  E  Ash  St,    Genesee,  ID 83832).

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