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Born: Sept. 15, 1931, Longview Died: May 19, 2014, San Antonio
Preceded by: Wife Peggy Nelson. Survived by: Sons Rick Nelson and Don Nelson and daughter-in-law Maura; two grandchildren.
SAN ANTONIO — James B. Nelson, whose career included coaching football teams at Alamo Heights High School and Trinity University, died Monday, May 19, 2014, at 82.
Born to a farming family during the Great Depression, Nelson and his two siblings were given up to adoptive parents after his mother was injured in an accident. His father was unable to care for his wife and the children and work the fields to support the family.
“One day they walked onto the sidewalk where they had placed their luggage, and three different cars came and picked them up,” taking each to a different home, his son, Don Nelson, said. His older brother “kept the family together, writing letters once a month so they could stay in communication.”
As an adult, Nelson reconnected with his birth family, visiting both sets of parents regularly with his own children.
Nelson played football through high school and continued to play while in the Army, which he joined in 1951.
Although he had met his future wife while at Austin College before enlisting, the couple didn't marry until 1956, after Nelson graduated from the University of North Texas, where he also played football.
He started coaching at Alamo Heights High School in the late 1950's and was made head coach in 1961. He was at the high school for 17 years, eventually becoming athletic director.
“It's not what he wanted to do,” his son said. “He missed coaching too much.”
Nelson left Alamo Heights to briefly coach at MacArthur and Lee high schools and at St. Gerard School.
His last position was at Trinity University, where he stayed for 17 years. His coaching style was tough, but never abusive.
“I came from a broken family.... He was my disciplinarian and a great mentor for me,” said his former Alamo Heights player and fellow coach Marshall Fleener. “He was very strict,”Fleener said. “I needed that discipline. He was so strong coaching a young rebel like me.” Fleener credits Nelson for his own coaching career.
As much as he loved it, Nelson discouraged his own son from becoming a coach.
Nelson's objection wasn't with the youths, but with their parents. “He was bothered by the parents who got over-involved with their children in sports.”
Although Nelson wasn't known for winning numerous championships, “he just had a way of connecting with young people ... influencing young people to do the right things.” Don Nelson said.
He had the same effect on his sons.
“I didn't want to disappoint him,” Don Nelson said. “He was the kind of guy that I could tell the good, the bad and the ugly, and he was never judgmental.”
