James Clarence (Jim) Nelson, November 8, 1949 to May 27, 2015 A majestic voice is silenced; a mighty pen is stilled. Singer, playwright, clown and storyteller Jim Nelson has passed away following a 20-year gift of extra life due to a kidney transplant in 1995. If you say the word “story-teller” in Grande Prairie, someone is likely to bring up the name Jim Nelson. Jim has been writing about the people and places of Northern Alberta throughout his adult life – and telling the stories from the stage, in both reader’s theatre and full theatrical settings. He is best known for his musical theatre explorations – most notably his Ballad of Knobby Clark series and most recently for The Lost Trail which was performed at the GPRC Theatre in 2011. Jim’s writing credits also include quite a diversity of film and radio as in the case of a cowboy poetry series commissioned by CBC. Two books of his short stories were published by Lone Pine Publishing, and he wrote several novels as yet unpublished. Jim wrote and produced (and usually performed in) dozens of plays, wrote and performed hundreds of songs, and entertained thousands of people in audiences from High Level to Calgary. He told the story of the history of the Peace Region, and his life’s work will help keep many local and regional characters in the pages of history. Together with David Biltek, Rob Shields and Bud Portwood, Jim conceived of and orchestrated the very first Grande Prairie Stompede in 1978. He was looking forward to being part of the Founders celebration this weekend. With his close friends Cled Lewis and Murray Sutherland, Jim helped to establish the Grande Prairie Polo Club and was very proud that his sons, nephews and grandsons are such active enthusiasts today. He was renowned for his passionate opinions, for his rapier wit and his deep well of information – and his ubiquitous bowler hat. He loved singing – on the stage and around the campfire. He adored his four grandsons and cherished his newborn grand-daughter. He had bottomless pride in his sons Cec and Elden and his daughter Christina and rejoiced in their companionship. Jim is survived by his brothers Don (Sharon) and Glenn (Marianne) and their families, and by his wife of 37 years, Lynne Ness. Dad/Farfar is deeply mourned by his three children: Christina Nelson, Cec (Kelly) Nelson and their sons Jameson, Cyrus, Kade and Zach; Elden Nelson and his baby daughter Charlie Evans Nelson. A musical celebration of the life and work of Jim Nelson will be held Monday, June 8 in the GPRC Theatre at 1:00 pm. Donations in his memory may be made in support of Rotary House Shelter Housing 10101 97A St, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0X3 www.rotaryhouse.ca . Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home Grande Prairie 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com