A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD with Fr. Peter Alliata officiating. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD.

Viewing/Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2006 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 3:00 PM followed by American Legion Prayers at 3:10 PM.

James Maguire "Mopjack" Nelson, Sr., 68, of Mechanicsville, MD died October 31, 2006 in Mechanicsville, MD. Born October 1, 1938 in Clements, MD he was the son of the late James "Toots" and Beatrice Nelson. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy Lorraine Nelson whom he married in St. Francis DeSale Church, Benedict, MD in 1961.

He is survived by his sons: James Nelson, Jr. of Mechanicsville, MD and Richard Dale Nelson of Hollywood, MD; brothers and sisters: Joseph "Fred" Nelson, Charles "Manzie" Nelson and Sylvia Gainey all of Clements, MD, Frank "Bubba" Nelson, Thomas "Sam" Nelson, Brenda Caywood and Rita Buckler all of Mechanicsville, MD, John "Dink" Nelson, Janet "Jody" Gray, Kenneth "Ken" Nelson, Robert "Wayne" Nelson and Wallace "Wally" Nelson all of Chaptico, MD, Rose Roth of Hollywood, MD and Tina Bowles of Loveville, MD; 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Mr. Nelson was a life long St. Mary's County resident where he graduated from Military High School Class of 1970. After 20 years of dedicated service he retired from the U.S. Army where he was a staff sergeant from 1957-1977. He also worked for BG&E for 16 years from 1977-1993. His military medals included the: Good Conduct Medal w/Silver Clasp, Parachute Badge, Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service, Combat Infantryman Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary and National Defense Service. He was a member of the American Legion Post #221. He enjoyed fishing, crabbing and hunting.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 5, 2006 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 3:00 PM followed by American Legion Prayers at 3:10 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD with Fr. Peter Alliata officiating. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD. Pallbearers will be: Richie Nelson, Bobby Buckler, Stevie Nelson, Jamie Nelson, Sean Caywood and Doug Murphy. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Patti Beall, all 8 of his brothers: Freddie, Manzie, Bubba, Dink, Sam, Ken, Wayne, Wally, Matthew Fuller and J.D. Lacey.

Contributions may be made to: Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.