John O. Nelson
John Orville Nelson, our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, finished his life journey at age 77. He passed away peacefully on June 15th, 2021 surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home. He finished his life mission triumphantly. After battling an aggressive prostate cancer that metastasized to his bones and spread to several places in his body, he miraculously, with the help of his wife and children, became cancer free. He then succumbed to the ailments of Lewey Bodies Dementia. He is so loved, and will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.
The family is holding a funeral at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 890 North Heritage Hills Drive, Alpine, UT, Monday, June 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:30 AM.
He was born November 22, 1943 in Portland, Oregon, to his parents Olive Adele Johnson Nelson and George William Nelson, joining his brothers William Oliver Nelson and Raymond Arthur Nelson. His brother, David Lee Nelson was born two years later in 1945.
His childhood he described as carefree and a time for fun. He grew up in Portland, Oregon and graduated from Grant High School in 1959 at 17. He went to a Junior College in San Jose, California and was employed by the FMC Corp. He later was employed with Lockheed Missiles Corp., and FMC Corp again in a different position. The summer of 1962 he decided to join the U.S. Air Force in October to fulfill his military obligation and, at the same time, go to Electronic School. He served our country as a radio repairman and radio mechanic in the Air Force. He devoted himself to living a good Christian life and continued his quest to get his questions answered by studying, friends and ministers regarding religion. He was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his brother Bill. He graduated from Electronics school in October of 1963. He headed for home and then on to his new duty assignment in Condon AFS, Oregon, 150 miles from home. He was only there one week when President Kennedy was assassinated. He began to teach guitar and got fairly proficient in it. He continued to be active in sports- baseball, football, basketball, tennis, ping pong and swimming. He found it very important to care for his physical body, mental and spiritual activity in order to have good health and well-being. He had a strong conviction that religion held the true answers that he had been searching for in his life. He began studying, praying and learned more about the Bible. While in the Air Force, he was taught the gospel by missionaries and a short time later was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October 1955. His prayer was to go on a mission for the Church and tell the world of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served a faithful mission for 2 years in Argentina after he was discharged from the Air Force in October 1966 at 21. He grew to love the people there and the Spanish language. President Richard G. Scott was his mission president whom he loved, respected and revered.
He graduated from BYU in Speech and received a distinct impression from the Lord to go into seminary work. He pursued that course and was hired and assigned to teach in Rexburg, ID being one of the only unmarried teachers that was hired. Shortly after he received his assignment, they changed his assignment to teach seminary one year in the Idaho Falls area. Connie Spooner happened to be living in Rexburg at the time he was there but ended up moving as she graduated from Ricks and relocated to Idaho Falls to begin her career as a dental assistant, right around the corner from where he taught in the seminary building. John, being 28 years old, felt he was ready to be married and find his eternal companion. John happened to be the seminary teacher for a Laurel class that was putting on a performance where he played the guitar. Connie was the girl’s Laurel teacher and they invited her to come and watch their single seminary teacher perform. She remembers going and watching him perform and commenting to the girls, “why would he, a seminary teacher, be interested in me?” He and Connie met at a MN and Gleaners single adult activity shortly after that where they were celebrating National Pickle week and sharing poetry and pickles with one another. Connie’s personality and confidence made her stand out from the rest. She shared a poem, “I Like You.” He really enjoyed her poem and afterwards asked her for a copy of it. After she got home that evening, he contacted her and asked her to attend a fireside the next evening with him. Their nine-month courtship led to a deep love for one another. He was a romantic at heart and gave her flowers that had a special meaning for each one. Connie’s favorite flower of those he gave her was forget-me-nots. He will never forget her and she will never forget him!
John and Connie Spooner Nelson were sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo temple on October 13, 1972. He described her as “a wonderful girl” and he said of Connie, “she is strikingly beautiful to me, which is saying: she is a fulfillment of my Patriarchal blessing”. They were blessed with their first child, Celeste Laree on July 13, 1973. Shaun Oren was born 13 months later on August 20, 1974. Alisha Joy joined the family as a gift to her dad the day before his birthday on November 21, 1976. Matthew Seth was born on June 3, 1979 followed by Vanessa Janelle on May 16, 1981. Nathan Tanner was born March 20, 1983 and John and Connie completed their family with Kirsten Cherise being born February 7, 1987. Everything John did was for the benefit of his family. They filled his life with joy! John played with his children and spent time with them. He was sentimental and remembered their special occasions, attended important events and tried to have special one on one time with each of his children. He even wrote each child their very own song. He had such a gift for teaching his children by example and by making things fun. It was like a game when he wanted them to learn something. He was so friendly and had a gift for visiting with people and making them feel comfortable and important. We know it is because he truly loves people! It is an understatement to say that he is a loyal companion. He was united and supported his wife in everything!!
John served many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a Bishop in Greenville, North Carolina, served in Bishoprics, on the High Council, was a faithful home teacher/minister, Cub Scout Master, High Priest Group Leader, and many other callings.
He worked for the Church Education System as a seminary and institute religious educator and eventually became an Area Coordinator. He taught in Idaho Falls and Midway, Idaho, Zuni, New Mexico Indian Reservation, BYU Sabbatical, Anaheim, California, Alamosa, Colorado, Greenville, North Carolina, Pueblo, Colorado and Alpine, Utah was his last assignment at Salt Lake Community College. His dad lived long enough to see him begin a doctorate program before his passing. He spent 9 summers at BYU earning his PhD in Educational Psychology. John was a humble man and would not let people call him a doctor. He obtained that degree to bless the lives of his family in providing for them. He spent the rest of his days studying the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon and even reading it in Spanish daily. He served as a volunteer for years at the Provo MTC teaching Spanish and the Gospel to new missionaries preparing to enter in their own service to the Lord in sharing the truth. He was employed with the Church Educational System from 1971-2006, when he retired and was sent a letter thanking him for his service by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust who were serving at the time. He became a professor of Marriage and Family at Utah Valley University after his retirement for a short time. He was a Transient Bishop assisting those in need at the Provo, Utah Humanitarian center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Most importantly, he was the best father and husband a family could ask for. He was the epitome of goodness, a scriptorian, a loyal spouse, a firm rock, a constant beacon, a history buff, a friend to all, an enemy to none, and a giant of a man. We will miss his sweet smoochies, silly jokes, special talks, guitar strums, black licorice cravings, the twinkle in his eye, special songs, kind words to all, honest and pure thoughts, good deeds, sweet hugs, voice of reason, righteous leadership, jerry-rigged Mr. Fix it projects, sense of humor, cute giggle, love for folk songs like Peter, Paul and Mary and Little Darlin’ by the Diamonds, speaking Spanish, daily scripture reading, crossword puzzles, cryptograms, remembering important dates, morning mini munchies, his elation to see or hear from us, side bendies, an avid reader, homemade orange julius, father’s blessings, and being there for us whenever we needed him. He educated thousands of students in learning about the Savior and His Gospel. He modeled the way for generations to follow by being a true disciple of Christ. He loved and knew the Savior personally. His testimony will live on because the mark he made on this earth was incredibly significant.
He is survived by his eternal companion, Connie Nelson of 49 years and his children: Celeste (Jerry) Stott, Shaun (Dian) Nelson, Alisha (David) Sell, Matthew Nelson, Vanessa Nelson, Nathan Nelson and Kirsten Nelson. He is also survived by his brothers: William O. (Burnadell) Nelson, David L. (Monica) Nelson, eight grandchildren: Cameron Dale Stott, Katelyn Olivia Stott, Talmage John Sell, Sterling Douglas Stott, Ellie Grace Sell, Lindy Beth Sell, Annalyse Marshae Stott, Samuel David Sell and one expected very soon, Skye Rozie Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Olive Nelson and his brother, Raymond Arthur (Jerry) Nelson.
We want to thank all those that cared for our sweet John until he took his last breath, finishing his mortal journey on earth. From hospice care workers, to volunteers, to his loved ones, to his sweet granddaughter, to his sweetheart, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your tender care and keeping him comfortable and adding happiness to his life. He was so grateful to you and so are we.
He finished his journey surrounded by what mattered most to him, his family. His run became a shuffle, his sharp memory faded, but he never lost his kindness, his smile, his twinkle, nor his sense of humor. His worn scriptures are a symbol of his life. He lived faithfully until the very last moment, when he gave his beloved Connie one last kiss goodbye. It is a miracle that he was able to do so with his physical ailments and was his way of parting and greeting her each day. We are so happy for him that he now can continue serving and doing the work his soul has longed to do! He has finished his journey, and we will miss him desperately while we finish ours. We long for the day we will meet again with open arms and smoochies.