Jayden Ray Nelson of Bourbon, Missouri was born on May 16, 2008 in Washington, Missouri to Johnny Nelson and Jennifer Lawson and passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the age of 18 years.
He grew up in Bourbon and recently graduated from Bourbon High School with the Class of 2026. During high school, Jayden attended Rolla Technical Institute, where he earned his mechanic certification. He also worked at Town and Country Supermarket, where he worked his way up to night manager.
Jayden had a love for cars that started when he was a young boy. He especially enjoyed his old ’68 GMC pickup, “Blue,” and could often be found tinkering on it. He also enjoyed photography and had a wide-ranging taste in music. He loved being outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and enjoyed antiquing with his sister, Felicity. He was a jokester and, more than once, found himself being the class clown.
He had recently joined the Bourbon Fire Department.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Judy Lawson.
He is survived by his parents, Johnny Nelson Jr. and wife Sylvia of Bourbon, Missouri and Jennifer Myers and husband John of Bourbon, Missouri; three siblings, Cody Henderson and significant other Haley Jones of Saint James, Missouri, Felicity Henderson of Belleville, Illinois and Mackenzie Nelson of Bourbon, Missouri; seven step siblings, Olivia McCurdy, Emma McCurdy, Dominik Myers, Zack Myers, Dylan Myers, Briana Myers and Braydin Myers; grandparents, Thomas Lawson and significant other Fern Griffith of Bourbon, Missouri and John Nelson and wife Barb of Bourbon, Missouri; nieces, Laylla Henderson, Mila and Lilah Jones-Monterroza; girlfriend, Katelynn Britton of Sullivan, Missouri; uncles, Jesse Nelson and wife Sunni of Sullivan, Missouri and Travis Lawson and wife Kristina of Bourbon, Missouri; aunt, Shauna Ritchie and husband Billy of Bourbon, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Interment followed at Bourbon Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
