John (J. P.) Perry Nelson

John Perry (J. P.) Nelson, 59, passed away in the familiar surrounds of his own home from conditions of congestive heart disease in West Branch on Friday, April 19, 2024. Graveside services will be open to the public and held on Monday, April 22nd at 1:00 pm in the Rochester Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Dr. Charles Klink (Rochester United Methodist Church). Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

J.P., son of Richard Otis and Janet Rae Sharpless Nelson, was born on October 9, 1964 in Iowa City, Iowa.  He graduated from Cedar Rapids Prairie High School, DeVry Institute and Bellevue University in Nebraska. In 1996 J. P. was united in marriage to Judy Nelson in South Dakota.  J.P. was a truck driver and a truck driver instructor. He taught students how to drive semi-trucks at Western Iowa Tech, Heyl Trucking and Decker Trucking, giving the foundation of the ‘how and why’ we do things in 18 wheelers.

J. P. was a people person and loved to visit with anyone. He loved working at Menards because he was surrounded by people all day. When walking in Herbert Hoover Park, he would greet all the dogs and their owners. In spite of his struggles with alcohol abuse and depression, he was cheerful and loved his family and friends.

J.P. is survived by his mother, Janet Nelson; his sisters, Lori (Jim Fuller) Nelson, Lisa Lower and Kelly (Roger Rufer) Nelson; and his brother, Scott (Andy Halvorson) Nelson; nieces, Emily Graves (Mitch Graves and son Lewis) and Arlette Blythe (Dillon Blythe and son Bennett). He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Otis Nelson in 1983.

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