James (Jim) Harry Nelson, age 85, beloved husband, father, and grandfather (YaYa as named by eldest grandson Nathanael) passed away in his home in Virginia Beach on February 26, 2026.

Born on November 8, 1940, in Dayton, Ohio, to Marjory Louise Bird and Harry Nels Nelson, Jim grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Denison University in 1962. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Terri Lou Sontag, in 1963. His Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers provided vocal backup to his serenade below her dorm room window at Denison. Jim earned his Master’s Degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the University of Maryland in 1964 and worked first at the Veterans Administration and then Gallaudet University. He joined IBM in 1964 and then served as a Data Automation Officer in the Air Force from 1967-1971. Son Louis Perry was born during his assignment at Shaw Air Force, South Carolina. Upon medical retirement from the Air Force, Jim joined IBM South Africa and moved to Johannesburg, where daughter Amanda was born.

Jim’s Grandpa Bird instilled a love for the Bible, and he participated in many men’s Bible study groups throughout the years. After returning to the United States, Jim and Terri experienced a significant spiritual awakening while attending All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park, FL, eventually attending a Cursillo weekend. Life in Christian community through the Cursillo Movement was very important to them, and they helped establish Cursillo in the Episcopal Diocese of Southeastern Virginia with Jim serving as the first rector.

Soon after relocating to Tidewater, Jim, always an entrepreneur, founded Chesapeake Computer Group (CCG). The development of software to support the fleet maintenance operations of cities and universities became his life’s work for more than four decades. He was a member of the Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association and other professional organizations.

Jim and Terri lived in Portsmouth and Chesapeake until her unexpected death in September 1985. Jim married Pam Dudney in late 1986. Together, they raised Amanda and her two stepsisters, Lauren and Camille.

Jim married Kathy (Winegar) Branch in 2002 and joined her in parenting her two sons, Matt and Zach. Jim supported Kathy’s Navy career and relocated to Annapolis for three years before returning to Norfolk. They enjoyed three years in North Suffolk before moving to Virginia Beach following Kathy’s final retirement.

Previously, Jim was a member of Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church. Jim and Kathy met at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. After they returned to Norfolk, they helped plant Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, where they remain active members. Jim fashioned the hand-hewn cross that has been a part of the church’s 20+ year history.

Jim loved woodworking, golfing, skiing, and traveling. He scored his only hole-in-one at the Naval Academy Golf Course. His furniture, cutting boards, and Chinese checkers boards were shared with family and friends alike, and he helped with many family remodeling projects. He and Kathy traveled to Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and Greece, but time spent with family was even more precious, including on Kathy’s family farm in Howell, Michigan. He especially enjoyed taking each of the grandkids on a special trip to celebrate their 12th birthdays. Jim and Kathy shared a passion for cooking and hospitality and welcomed many into their home. Thanksgiving feasts became a favorite family tradition.

He had a sharp sense of humor, enjoyed card games, liked two kinds of beer – warm or cold, and subscribed to the notion that you should eat dessert first in case you ran out of room; it was an open secret that there was a stash of candy in his desk. Generous to a fault, Jim even gave away cars and golf clubs without a second thought. He danced better in his cowboy boots and sang joyfully, especially his favorite song, “Ragtime Cowboy Joe.” He was a proud UVA dad/grandfather and celebrated the family’s military and community service.

Despite physical and cognitive challenges in his final years, Jim knew God had a plan for him and considered himself one of the lucky ones because he and his family shared a strong Christian faith. His work is finished, his legacy secure, his future in Heaven.

Many thanks to family and friends who visited during his last several weeks. Much gratitude to Mary Jane and Katina, along with Gentiva Hospice, Dr. Angelina Frias and caregiver JR with Just In Time Companion Homecare Services. Jim and his family were blessed by your care.

Jim is survived by wife, Kathy Winegar Branch, and children and step children Louis Perry (Kristine) Nelson, Amanda (Thomas) Hayslett, Matthew (Jill) Branch, Zachary (Emily) Branch, Lauren (Emmett) Carawan, and Camille (Austin) Livingston; his 11 grandchildren, Nathanael (Shira) Nelson, Perri Nelson, Parker (Benjamin) Scott, Elizabeth Hayslett, Nelson Hayslett, Rebecca Hayslett, Christian Branch, Colin Branch, Bentley Branch, Cooper Branch, and Charlotte Branch; and his faithful goldendoodle companion Molly. Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Nelson Claggett, and his first wife, Terri Sontag.

A celebration of his life will occur on March 20, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, 9200 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.