Jimmy Nelson Bass

Jimmy Nelson Bass, 79, of Robinson, TX, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 17, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco, with Pastor Rumaldo Jimenez officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, at the funeral home.
Nelson was born July 19, 1943, in Stephenville, TX, to Joe H. and Doris (Hilliard) Bass. He was a long-time home builder in McLennan County. Nelson opened Papa Joe’s bar in Lorena, which he named after his father, Joe. He grew up loving the outdoors which he passed on to his family going on countless trips to Sky High Ranch in Colorado and Big Bend National Park, always going off the beaten path for new adventures. He and his running buddies explored all of Big Bend. One of his greatest joys was placing a memorial he made in memory of his father Joe Bass in Sky High Ranch Forest in Creede, Colorado. Nelson also enjoyed many hobbies including being a private pilot and golfing.
Nelson was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 31 years and love his life, Susie Hernandez Bass; and stepdaughter, Linette Padilla.
He is survived by his sons, James Bass and wife Alison, Steve Bass, and wife Marcy; and Ryan Bass; stepson, Giovanni Padilla; grandchildren, Taylor Jaffe and husband Michael, David Bass and wife Ehrin, Blake Bass, Devon Daniels and wife Kayla, Bailey Lowe, Ivy Coffee, Maddy Kolar, Brooklyn Bass and Jonathan Gayton, Amaya Padilla, and Niko Padilla along with many great-grandchildren; his brothers, Ronnie Bass, Ricky Bass, and wife Patricia.
Everyone who knew Nelson always referred to him as one of the nicest men they ever met! Nelson loved life to the fullest and he didn't let health problems hold him back from his love of traveling. In Nelson's free spirit are these words from the Willie Nelson song - "Turn out the lights, the party's over!"