Nelson, who served as head coach for six different sports at William Jewell College, died Sunday in Liberty. He was 83.
Nelson spent 41 years at William Jewell, making him the longest-tenured coach in school history. At different times, he was head coach of the football, men’s and women’s basketball, track, cross-country and men’s tennis teams during 1950-91, and he also served terms as the school’s athletic director and Dean of Men.
“He was my basketball coach, mentor and friend,” said longtime William Jewell men’s basketball coach Larry Holley. “He was a special man. He was one of those gentlemen that would do whatever he was asked to do. He’d do it, and he did it with class.”
Nelson arrived at William Jewell in 1950 as an assistant football coach to Norris Patterson, and in their first 18 years, the Cardinals won 12 conference titles and finished second six times.
Nelson succeeded Patterson in 1968, and in 10 seasons won three conference championships, including an 11-1 record in 1973. That team was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame last fall. Nelson won 290 games in 18 years as head basketball coach, and his 1957 team, which included former Raytown South coach Bud Lathrop, finished 23-6, went to the school’s first national tournament and will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame this fall.
When Nelson stepped down after 10 years as the Cardinals’ women’s basketball coach in 1991, his teams had won six conference titles, including a 22-8 record and 14-0 mark in the Heart of America Conference in his final season. The men’s tennis team also reached national prominence during his 25 years as head coach.
Nelson has been inducted into the NAIA Coaches Hall of Fame, Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame, Missouri Valley College and William Jewell Halls of Fame.
Nelson played both football and basketball at Missouri Valley College, and was selected a Little All-American guard on football teams that won 41 straight games.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Second Baptist Church, 309 E. Franklin, Liberty. A visitation will precede the services from 9 to 11 a.m. Nelson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathryn, of Liberty; sons, James Jr., Michael, Thomas and daughter, Elizabeth; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.
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