James B. Neilson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James B. Neilson\r\n1941-2016\r\n \r\nJames B. Neilson of Thousand Oaks passed away on February 22, 2016 at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters after a long-fought battle with cancer.\r\nJim was born on March 21, 1941 in Salt Lake City, UT to James and Rena Neilson. He spent his childhood there and graduated from Granite High School. Jim attended the University of Utah and completed a degree in Economics.\r\nJim taught Government, U.S. History and Economics at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, ID from 1964-1970. During that time he also served as the varsity basketball and baseball coach.\r\nIn November 1970, Jim entered the FBI as a Special Agent. He spent the majority of his career at the Los Angeles Field Office and retired in October 1999. Jim held various assignments within the Bureau and truly loved being an FBI agent. Jim still had a passion for coaching and spent his free time volunteering as a basketball coach for Saint Bernardine Catholic School in Woodland Hills.\r\nAfter retirement, Jim conducted background investigations for the federal government under the business name of James B. Neilson and Associates. He also taught part-time in the Criminal Justice Program at Ventura Community College and at the Ventura County Police & Sheriff\'s Reserve Officer Academy. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors of the Desert Refuge for Peace Officers and Military Personnel near Joshua Tree, California.\r\nJim\'s favorite retirement activity was serving as a docent for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, where he dedicated over 5500 hours of volunteer work. He held various offices on the Museum\'s Volunteer Council, including president for two years. Jim also served as a Board member for the Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library.\r\nThroughout his life Jim had many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed shooting black powder guns and attending Mountain Men Rendezvous. He was an avid reader. He gave presentations in the community about Presidents and First Ladies and spent many hours researching and writing about them. He also loved playing the piano and the accordion, woodworking, stained glass making, stamp and coin collecting.\r\nJim is survived by his wife Sue; his daughters Andrea (Kent) Niehenke of Moscow, ID and their children Collin, Camille, and Paige; Debra (Jake) Bell of Meridian, ID and their children Nicholas and Corina; his brother Leonard (Angela) of Salt Lake City, UT; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his daughter Stacy Marie.\r\nJim\'s family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Suchman and the VITAS Hospice Care staff who provided an extraordinary amount of compassionate care to Jim during his final days.\r\nA viewing will be held Tuesday March 1st at the Neil O'Donnell & Sons Mortuary 372 East 100 South from 11:00 am-12:00p.m. Committal will be held 12:30 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery 4th Ave. & T Street.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice in Jim\'s honor. \r\n

James B. Neilson

February 24, 2016