James Harvey Nelson
James Harvey Nelson: August 11, 1935 - March 21, 2022
Game, set, match. James Harvey Nelson, one of the greatest non-professional tennis players in American history, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness. His wife, Barbara, and his two sons, Brian and Brad were by his side. He was born August 11, 1935 in Los Angeles to Lyle and Dorothy Nelson. A sister of Jim’s, Beverly Nelson predeceased him.
Jim graduated from Huntington Park High School in the Class of 1953. As a college student, he attended several institutions, playing tennis for the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Utah. He graduated from the University of California at Angeles (UCLA). While serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he played on the All Army Tennis Team, where he met top players from all over the United States. Jim worked for AT&T and married Marjorie Neuman, with whom he had his two sons. At about that time, he earned his stock brokerage license and embarked on a profession he pursued until retirement.
When he wasn’t investing or playing recreational tennis with celebrities at such venues as the Los Angeles Tennis Club, be became a major force on the amateur senior tennis scene (ages 35+), earning 107 U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) gold balls in age-group national championships, 11 World titles, and six Grand Slams. Many of those titles were in doubles, mostly with his favorite California partners--three with Lenny Lindborg and many more with Bob Duesler. Jim represented his country on 22 Senior Cup teams played all over the world and ranked fourth in US All-Time National Championship victories.
Off court, he founded the Southern California Senior Tennis Association, which became part of the USTA. He volunteered on many of that organization’s committees. He was also a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Club (IC).
For his many contributions to tennis, Jim was inducted into the Senior Southern California Hall of Fame in. Upon retiring to Palm Desert, he continued to play tennis and golf, which he also loved, at the Shadow Mountain Tennis Club and the Shadow Mountain Golf Club. Besides the international tennis trips Jim arranged, he nd his wife, Barbara, traveled the world with family and friends. Tennis took Jim to every continent with the exception of Antarctica. While deeply missed, Jim is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Barbara, two sons, son Brian’s wife Lina, and grandchildren Carly, Emily and Parker Nelson. His family and friends will miss his gregarious nature, his joke telling and his loyalty. Several friends and family are planning tributes. Cremation will be handled by the Fitzhenry Mortuary in Palm Desert.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.