David Scott Nelson

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, David Scott Nelson, age 65, returned home to his Heavenly Parents October 13, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. His positive attitude, deep faith, loving character, and always present smile blessed countless lives.

He was born August 21, 1956 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joseph and Marjorie Nelson. His midwest style and simple hospitality was influenced by spending most of his youth in Grandview, MO and Topeka, KS with his beloved Chiefs and Royals where he attended Shawnee Heights High School. He was active in numerous activities including golf, baseball, church singing groups, and community sports. After serving an LDS mission in Bogota, Colombia, he returned home to SLC, UT. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University where he proudly played the tuba in the BYU Marching Band for the sole purpose of having front row seats to BYU football games. On October 24, 1978 he married his sweetheart, Becky Lawrence, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Theirs was a marriage of devoted companionship, synergy, and fun.

In 1980 he began his career in the insurance industry working for Pacific Mutual in SLC, CA, and AZ, returning to Utah in 1987 to work the majority of his career as a group health and benefits insurance producer. His loyal clients developed into treasured friends, reflective of his integrity, honest character, and trusting demeanor. He worked at Affiliated, First Security, Accordia, Wells Fargo, USI, and relished the opportunity to finish his last two years at Beehive Insurance. He especially loved working side by side with his team and CSRs; with a top priority every day of updating them about his family and children.

Dad loved people. All types. No matter their status, background, or life experience, he found great joy and passion in learning from others and ministering to the one. He had a great ability to connect with youth, helping them feel comfortable, appreciated, and loved when around him. His endearing laugh engaged others; he was always one of the last to leave any function or church activity, taking the time to talk to anyone about anything. He was a man close to the Spirit with humble insight, a gift of listening, and making all feel loved for exactly who they were.

He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His deep and abiding love of the Lord was evident in any service or calling including Ward Choir Director, Bishop, High Counselor, Stake Presidency Counselor, and Temple Worker in the Bountiful, Utah Temple. He cherished his latest opportunity as Sunday School Teacher, sharing special insights gained from his long nights battling cancer and courageous commitment to choosing faith.

Farmington, Utah became his beloved home. He had a great desire to be active in the community, participating in charity events and fundraisers, attracting buckets of candy at holiday parades with his well-crafted little league target trick. He could often be found as the announcer at high school baseball games and delighted in serving on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters from 2003-2019.

Hard work, yard work, and a love for the simple things in life will be a long lasting legacy. His homemade ice cream was legendary. His all-encompassing love of sports, endless. He was often on his knees, whether fixing a sprinkler or deep in prayer. Shoveling the neighbor’s snow (always with impeccable lines), pruning roses, and long drives were therapeutic for him. He never bought things for himself, but loved Christmas and surprising Becky with his well thought out gifts. Saturday Costco runs were a staple, and you could often find him wandering the aisles of JCPenney to feel close to his dad.

His family was his pride and joy. His spouse, 6 children and 25 grandchildren brought deep happiness into his life. He loved spending time with them and watching them grow in their accomplishments. He had an unmatched gift of predicting the gender of his grandchildren (24 out of 25!) and sharing insights into their personalities before they were born.  He loved music, choir participation, and developing lasting meaningful friendships with everyone he came in contact with. The trajectory of many young lives were changed because of his influence.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to Dr. Laura Lambert of Huntsman Cancer Institute for her grace, intellect and compassion in caring for
Dave over the course of his illness and to the many nurses and staff who so compassionately served him. Also, special thanks to Dr. Carl Gray for his kind care in the initial phase of Dave’s treatments.

He is survived by his loving wife, Becky; children Greg (Katie) Nelson, Kaysville, UT; Paul (Cami) Nelson, Dallas, TX; Andrea (Matt) Dent, Kaysville, UT; Jenny (Derek) Harbertson, Kaysville, UT; Brad (Alli) Nelson, Hampstead, NC; Katie (Kyle) Andrews, Kaysville, UT; 25 grandchildren; brothers and sisters Allen (Janet) Nelson; Robert (Kathy) Nelson; LuJean (Craig) Christensen; and Shauna (Dan) Davis. Preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Kathy Nelson.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. in the Farmington North Stake Center, 729 Shepard Ln., Farmington. Viewing will be Monday, October 18, from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Funeral Home, 1941 N Main Street, Farmington and at the Farmington North Stake Center on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Farmington City Cemetery. Masks are respectfully encouraged during the viewing and funeral services. For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live at Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to an organization that would serve the hungry, needy or fatherless.