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BORN
1946
DIED
2017
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Chris Nielson Obituary
Grant Christian Nielson "Pops" taught his children and grandchildren that top runners always finish their race by leaning over the finish line giving 110%.
On Friday December 15, 2017, Pops did just that. He passed away due to cancer, in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 21, 1946 in Salt Lake City Utah to Grant Christian Nielson and Frances Alameda Goodman. Raised in Southern California, he apprenticed as a camshaft machinist at the age of 15. The bleached-blonde Southern California boy married his high school sweetheart, Jeanna LaMoyne Hislop on March 23, 1968. In 1969 Pops started working for the Chevron Refinery and in 1971 Chris and Jeanna moved from Redondo Beach, CA to Farmington, UT where they raised their 5 beautiful children for the next 28 years. Pops continued his world-renowned Nielson Vintage Race Cam business while working for Chevron Refinery in North Salt Lake. He retired from Chevron in 1992. In December 1997, he fought and survived a brain aneurysm. For the past 20 years, he has lived on borrowed time to influence all 17 of his grandchildren. He is a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a true disciple of the Savior Jesus Christ. He was the best Dad, husband, soccer coach, and friend. He loved teaching children all the great mysteries of life and children loved his teachings. He knew a little about everything. He taught the camshaft was the heart of the engine. Pops, you are the heart of our family! Pops is survived by his beloved spouse Jeanna LaMoyne Hislop Nielson "Muppy" of nearly 50 years, their 5 children; Lezli Dea Finch (Rob) of Yakima, WA, Erinn Holly Pedersen (KG) of Cedar City, UT, Geoff LeMoyne Nielson (Kelli) of Zionsville, IN, Emily Kathleen Cahoon (Brian) of Highland, UT, and Elizabeth Anne Christensen (Leo) of Mesa, AZ and 17 grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 22nd, at 11:00 am, at the Farmington Utah South Stake Center, 695 South 200 East, Farmington, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior from 10:00 to 10:30 am. Interment in Farmington City Cemetery.
The family requests a donation to the General Mission fund on LDS.org in lieu of flowers.
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Sponsored by Utah Valley Mortuary.
6 Entries
Phil Beardall
February 6, 2018
I just heard of Chris passing . I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great friend and fellow hot rod enthusiast . I enjoyed my dealings and visits with Chris, we would talk about many thing other then just hot rods . My wife always complained when I visited Chris at his shop because I would be gone for hours. I loved the man he was one of the best friends a guy could have. Sincerely Phil Beardall
December 24, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Darrell Lake
December 22, 2017
Chris has got to be one of the most pleasant men I've had the pleasure of knowing. Always enjoyed his visits. Enjoyed his stories about the pterodactyls he claimed to see flying around Trappers Loop. Hard to come up with words that mean much other than I hate to see him gone. Not a lot of souls in this old world that could still smile like he could after what he endured the last several years. He was surely proud of his bride and family. Well worth taking a page or two from his book of life!
Darrell Lake
Farmington, Utah
December 21, 2017
Such a good man and neighbor. Loved growing up next to him! My condolences to the family. Im sure Mom and Dad will be there to greet him
Evonne Zippro
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Pat
December 20, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. May you rely on God through prayer, pouring out your deepest emotions. He cares for you and wants to strengthen and comfort you. Please accept my condolences.
Guy Boyle
December 19, 2017
Geoff,
You are in our thoughts and Prayers. As a past motorcycle racer, I thought I would look up some info on your dad and I found a number of quotes from racers that used his services. Racers are hard folks to please but your dad must have been quite the man. Trust and honor then craftsmanship go a long way. Here are few I thought you might like from folks I do not know but who posted years ago about his work.
I know he was an incredible man.
•It's been quite a while ago, like 12 years. He did a couple 270 GMC shafts for us. I'd rate his services first class!
•Chris is a straight shooter really knows his S_ _ _ on early hemi cams!!!!!
•I had him grind a 394 cam for me years ago, easy to talk to over the phone absolutely no complaints
•He did a 3/4 race grind on my Ford flathead six cam. The price was very reasonable and he turned it around fast. I've had it on the road 7 years, no problem. Great work.
•I just got a cam back from him for that blown y block, great service so far and hope to have it running for the Road Agents.
Guy & Debby Boyle
Macon Georgia
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