Obituary of Jasper K. Nelson Jr.

Jasper K. Nelson, Jr., age 66, died on Monday, April 18, 2005 at his home. Jay was born on April 11, 1939 in Logan, West Virginia to Cora and Jasper Nelson, Sr. and raised by Cora and James Palmer (stepfather). After graduating from Aracoma High School, he entered into the United States Air Force, specializing in Communications. After completing the air force, he met his wife Gwendolyn V. Redd and pursued a Sheriff's position in Los Angeles, CA. The two decided to relocate and reside in Plainfield, NJ where they started a family. Jay is known for being people-oriented and loved to talk to everybody - along with his bright smile. He is also known for playing his lottery ticketson a regular. His love for people inspired him to be a foreman, master carpenter, and later a United States Postal Worker. He also attended DeVry and had a host of hobbies--sports, working around the house, gardening, working on cars and home improvement projects. Jay was also a part of Groove Phi Groove fraternity (Graduate Chapter). His love of sports lead him to coach his youngest son's (Jahmal) Pop Warner football team and Little League (Babe Ruth) Baseball Team. His love for people and sports continued with his most recent involvement -- Arena Host/Usher for the Patriots Baseball Team in Bridgewater, NJ. Despite his ailments, Jay never slowed down and continued to push the envelope -- he was known as the "Bionic Man". Not only was he a great husband and father, he was an overseer, good listener, reliable, comedic and everyone's 6:00 a.m. Wake Up Call. He is most known for embracing his children's friends and treating them like family. He is predeceased by his sister Eva Kelly of Plainfield and two nieces. He leaves behind his wife, Gwen of South Plainfield; daughters, Kimberly of Plainfield and Stephanie of South Plainfield; sons, Jahmal of Linden and Byron "Scotty" of Columbus, OH, two granddaughters (whom he loved and cherished) Tovannai of South Plainfield and Tiffany of Columbus, OH; son-in-law Donald Stapleton of South Plainfield; daughter-in-law Genevieve Nelson of Linden, son-in-law Darren Jenkins of Plainfield and his sister Ada of Columbus, OH. Jay also LOVED his "two babies" -- dogs-- Mickey and Max. "Three the Hard Way" and they were always inseparable. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, a nephew, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 22nd at 12:30 p.m. in the Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West 8th Street, Plainfield. Visitation will be from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Donations may be made to: American Heart Association, Memorials Program, 2550 US Hwy. 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08920-4301 or the Plainfield Pop Warner, Division of Recreation, Plainfield, NJ.