Jay L. Nelson, 61, of Waterloo, died Monday, Feb. 21, at Covenant Medical Center of natural causes.

He was born Feb. 1, 1950, in Boone, son of Charles J. and Mary Louise Barger Nelson. He married Brenda Joan Thomas on Feb. 28, 1981, in Waterloo, and they later divorced.

Mr. Nelson graduated from Waterloo West High in 1969, attended the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, and graduated from Hawkeye Tech in 1971 as a general machinist. He was employed at John Deere for more than 30 years, retiring in 2002. He was a member of UAW Local 838, was active in Cub and Boy scouts and as a leader and earned the Eagle Scout Award with Bronze and Gold Palm.

Survived by three daughters, Jennifer (Nick) Decker of Cedar Rapids, Brooke (Josh) Decker of Cedar Falls and Beth (Hieu) Nguyen of Waterloo; four grandchildren, Aubrey, Chase, Adeline and Natalie Decker; his father of Waterloo; a brother, Donald Nelson of Waterloo; and his aunt, Darlene Eckley of Marion.

Preceded in death by his mother.