James Howard Nelson, patriarch of Denton County’s Republican Party, died early Friday morning in Denton after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 78.

James Howard Nelson

A successful Dallas businessman who was active with Dallas County Republicans, Nelson, and his first wife, Marilyn, helped build the local Republican Party after the couple moved to Denton County.

The county was controlled by Democrats then and there weren’t many people involved at first, said Mary Denny, a former state representative for Denton and past chairwoman of the Denton County Republican Party.

“It probably started with Eisenhower, that early,” Denny recalled. “Those of us that knew him appreciate the hard work he did in the early days, when people thought he was nuts.”

Political leaders found Nelson warm and down-to-earth, Denny said, adding that he always agreed to help out, whether it was coming up with a little money to get something done or just a place to meet.

The party’s first attempt to elect a Republican sheriff was unsuccessful, but Nelson succeeded in helping Lee Walker become the first Republican woman to be elected Denton County commissioner.

He was born Oct. 1, 1929, to James Hubert and Kittie McKee Nelson in Holland, Texas. A natural salesman since childhood, as well as a member of Future Farmers of America, Nelson sold tomatoes from the back of a pickup at age 10.

By the age of 13, he had managed to save several thousand dollars from hunting and selling animal hides to Sears, Roebuck and Co.

He graduated with a bachelor of science in economics from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) in 1952. 

He went to work for Temco, an aerospace company, and then from 1956 to 1958, started and ran his own aerospace parts business.

He helped introduce the TaperLok fastening system to aircraft manufacturers before founding his own manufacturing company in 1966.

He started Mayday Manufacturing Co. in the garage of his North Dallas home.

Today, his two sons, Mike and Spence Nelson, employ 250 people at the Denton-based plant.

Mike Nelson is the husband of state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound.

Jane Nelson called her father-in-law a pioneer in Denton County politics.

“For years, anyone considering a run for public office would consult with Jim first,” Jane Nelson said in a prepared statement. “Of course, in my book, the best thing he ever did was raise a wonderful son who became my husband.”

Plans for a memorial service have not been finalized.

Arrangements are pending with Dalton & Son Funeral Home in Lewisville.

 PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881. Her e-mail address is pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com.