Obituary of Joseph Charles Nelson
Joseph Charles Nelson (53) passed away near Clarkia, ID on January 13, 2025. He was born to Alvin and Carol (Strain) Nelson on December 22, 1971, in St. Maries, ID. Joe grew up in Fernwood and attended St. Maries High School. He loved to wrestle in high school and was good at it. He graduated with the class of 1990.
Following high school, Joe went to work for McCall’s rock crushing and driving truck. He enlisted into the US Army and served in their Nuclear Weapons department stationed in Oklahoma and Germany. When he was honorably discharged, Joe returned home. He started his career driving logging truck, and established a relationship with Marlena Mills. The couple had 4 children together and married on November 6, 2004, 10 years after they originally started dating. The marriage later ended in divorce, but they still cared for one another and remained friends for their children.
Over the years Joe drove truck for Jack Buell Trucking, Dennis Humphrey, Titus Logging, Punk Michael, Don Reid Trucking, James Johnson, and Shane Goicoechea just to name a few. He ended his career driving for Bud Co, and although he didn’t care for yellow, it was by far his most favorite truck. Joe was a simple guy and enjoyed simple things. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed riding his side by side, Nascar, being in the mountains, and hanging out at Sullivan’s and Niles’ shops socializing and tipping back a few. When it came to his truck or his pickup, he was particular and picky about their cleanliness. They were always spotless, and he didn’t appreciate people touching them. He actually found joy in cleaning them multiple times a month. Most recently Joe found himself living a new lifestyle, one of sobriety, and he was working hard to take better care of himself and becoming closer to his children and grandchildren, he loved them very much, and he loved the rest of his family as well. He also treasured and appreciated his friendships with his close trucking buddies, they were also like family to him.
Joe is survived by his children Sam (David) Barbour, Casey Nelson, Ricky Nelson, and MJ Nelson all of St. Maries, ID; brothers Jim Nelson of Fernwood, ID and Rob (Sandy) Munden of Deer Park, WA; sister Angie (Don) Cox of White Salmon, WA; and 4 grandchildren Addi, Mattox, Leighton, and Nova. He is preceded in death both of his parents Al Nelson and Carol Munden.
Military honors will be presented on Saturday February 1, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Veteran’s Memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries. A Celebration of Joe’s life will follow at 11:00 am at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries, ID.
