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Dr. Kent Morris Nelson

About

Dulles High School Brigham Young University University of Houston University of Texas

Kent Nelson Obituary

DR. KENT MORRIS NELSON 1964-2004 Kent Morris Nelson of Lakewood, Colorado returned to the peace and comfort of his heavenly home on January 25, 2004 after a valiant twelve-year battle with cancer. A devoted and loving husband, father, brother, and son, Kent has touched the hearts of so many. He was known throughout his life for his strength and courage, unwavering faith, remarkable intelligence, quick wit, and his boundless energy. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was currently serving on the High Council of the Lakewood Stake. Kent was born on November 8, 1964 in New Haven, Connecticut to Morris H. and Geraldine E. Nelson. He lived in Connecticut, West Virginia, and Texas, graduating with honors from Dulles High School in 1982. Kent entered Brigham Young University and was awarded the prestigious Spencer W. Kimball Scholarship for academic achievement in 1982. He served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in the Japan Kobe Mission from 1983-1985 and developed a great love for the Japanese people. He continued his education at BYU, where he met his eternal companion and love of his life, Kimberly Diane Baskins. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 19, 1986. Early in their marriage they were blessed with two beautiful children, Lance and Shannon. Kent's family has been his pride and joy and source of incredible strength. In 1990 Kent graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Houston and received his Doctor of Pharmacy in 1993 from the University of Texas. Just prior to beginning his residency in San Antonio in 1992, Kent was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the tender age of 27. Kent continued to push forward through his illness to begin his career with Kaiser Permanente of Colorado. As the Clinical Pharmacy Services Director he was a leader, mentor, example, and friend to over 180 employees. He had a deep love for his work and for his co-workers, who became cherished friends. Kent was a devoted family man, and nothing in life gave him more pleasure. His love for his family was his motivation to fight so tirelessly to remain on this earth for as long as possible. Always with a sense of humor, a smile on his face, and more often than not, singing a song as he went, he continuously exhibited tremendous strength and unshakeable faith. He will be deeply missed by so many who loved and respected him. Kent is survived by his loving wife Kim and children Lance and Shannon of Lakewood, Colorado, parents Morris and Jeri Nelson of Provo, Utah, and sisters Linda (Bert) Waite of West Jordan, Utah, Jill (Bill) Crandell of Provo, Utah, and Jennifer (Brent) Matsu of Firestone, Colorado. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 10 a.m. at the Green Mountain Chapel, 13206 West Green Mountain Drive in Lakewood. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Horan and McConaty Funeral Home, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood and at the Green Mountain Chapel on Saturday morning from 9:00-9:40 a.m. Interment will be at the Golden City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please honor Kent with a donation to the Kent M. Nelson Clinical Pharmacy Scholarship Fund, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP), c/o Leslie Brown - Pharmacy Administration, 16601 E. Centretech Parkway, Aurora, CO 80011.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Jan. 30, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Kent Nelson

23 Entries

Lindsey Madson

February 9, 2004

Kent was the epitome of a superior leader, mentor and friend. His priorities were always exactly right and his smile and practical jokes will always leave fond memories. He will be forever missed, but his contributions will be forever remembered!!!

Sandy Sublett

February 3, 2004

To Kent's family: I am an old Dulles pal of Kent's. We kept in touch after school, as I was one of his pen pals while he was in Japan. I have always held him in the highest regard. A wonderful, upstanding person and such a nice friend. I am sure the family he fought so hard to stay with is equally wonderful. He will be remembered so very fondly by more people than you may ever know. May God bless you in this very difficult time.

Sandy (Heald) Sublett

John Merenich

February 1, 2004

Kent was one of those precious few individuals whose character and wisdom, passion, and limitless generosity affected every person with whom he interacted. He provided me invaluable personal and professional counsel countless times for which I am especially grateful. Even though he is gone from this earth, his spirit lives on. I continue to draw strength from him through the testimony and faith of his loving family, and from the seemingly endless fruits of his labor. I will miss my dear friend, but will never forget him, and forever will try to live with the class and dignity that he exhibited.

Laura Elliott

January 31, 2004

Kent has always stood out as one of the most professional, caring, intelligent and insightful people I have met. He was a wonderful leader at Kaiser and his legacy there will live on due to the effort and passion he put into his role. He is greatly missed. My sympathy and prayers to his family. We were all lucky to have known him.

Margaret McGuinness

January 30, 2004

I had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Kent during his Pharm D and residency. He was a great inspiration; and encouraged us all with his smile, quick wit, incredible intelligence and organized approach to life. I so enjoyed knowing Kent as a friend and colleague and will greatly miss him.

Spencer Childs

January 30, 2004

I am saddened by Kent's passing, Kent was a great friend when we were in grade school and middle school. Though I have not seen Kent for twenty years, I feel his loss keenly. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, and all of their extended family. I know that this seperation is temporary, but the pain is so very real.

Spencer

Katie Perea

January 30, 2004

Never have I known a person in the workplace so universally loved and admired as Kent Nelson. I am grateful for every moment I had with him.

Marty Senser

January 30, 2004

You are a true inspiration! Your zest for life and enthusiasm for everything you did left an indelible mark and something I can strive for. My family's prayers are with you and your family

Marty Senser

Jeryl McGaw

January 30, 2004

If ever in life there existed a man who bore testament to Jesus' life, teachings, and guidance it was Kent.

In John 15:12-16a Jesus says "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go bear fruit - fruit that will last."

This passage is a perfect example of Kent's life. Everything he learned he wanted to share with others; share in a compassionate, enthusiastic, and patient way that left you feeling excited, confident and grateful. Kent was clearly chosen by God to bear fruit; the fruits of kindness, joy, helpfulness, optimism, love, compassion, professionalism, dedication, and just plain goodness. His fruit has multiplied in the family that loves and will miss him, the incredible legacy he has left at Kaiser and the profound impact he has had on the lives of those who were blessed to know him.

Some of us grieving for his loss were talking about him and thought 'what would Kent say to us now'. I think he would tell us all to do what he did: learn from life's experiences, make the most of each day, leave your lives in God's hands, and go forth and bear fruit - fruit that will last.

Thank you Kent for including me in the legacy you have left behind. I will miss you. But I promise you this, I am a better person for having known you and heaven is a better place for having you now.

God's blessings to Kim, Lance, Shannon and the rest of Kent's family. Thank you for sharing Kent with Kaiser.

Daniel Dugan

January 30, 2004

Kent probably never met a stranger. We first met on a job interview and he immediately put me at my ease. His sense of irony and humor was immediately obvious, and though I declined to work for Kent, over the next three years, he always greeted me as a friend and ribbed me about making the "wrong choice".

Kent had a loud laugh when I interviewed again with him last Spring and came to work with his team this past September. What he knew and I learned after three years, was that the work Kent and all the other wonderful pharmacists were doing at KP was the realization of a vision.

Visions are not easy to bring into the world. They require tireless effort from someone that has faith and knows how to inspire others. Kent was such a person. I am grateful to have briefly known Kent and I am grateful to be part of his ongoing good works.

Nanette Doyle

January 30, 2004

I am privilaged to have worked with Kent at Kaiser Permanente for several years and without exception, I enjoyed every interaction we had. Kent is a role model for me professionally and personally. I will deeply miss Kent as a friend and a colleague but feel blessed to have shared a small portion of his rich life.

Kim Oberg

January 30, 2004

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Kent. Although our paths crossed infrequently here at Kaiser, I was always impressed with his incredible intelligence. He was "the" person I called when I had a pharmacy-related question. I held the utmost respect for him due his knowledge and compassion. I will miss Kent and feel fortunate to have known him. My sincere sympathies to his family. Peace be with you, my friend.

Jamie Nash

January 30, 2004

I was blessed to work with Kent for almost 3 years. What a remarkable man. A mentor to many here at Kaiser Permanente and the Clinical Pharmacy field in general. He will be missed for many things but most of all--his encouraging attitude. Thanks Kent for making a difference in my life.

Don Gruntowicz

January 29, 2004

I am truely honored to have worked with such a great presence and role model, Kent will be deeply missed.

Jerry Smead

January 29, 2004

Kent was/is a trailblazer and visionary in the field of pharmacy practice. I have been honored to know him and work with him over the years. He lived his life with honor, purpose, and commitment to the betterment of the quality of life of others. He truly defined what leadership is and should be. Kent will be dearly missed in his chosen profession by many both nationally and locally. This is a deep loss to us all but he had planted many seeds that will mature and grow for many years to come. We’ll miss you Kent; it’s your time to rest for a while.

Jane Kerzee

January 29, 2004

I first met Kent on the phone when I was trying to get a job with Kaiser. We laughed and chatted for 20 minutes before I finally realized it was an interview. Kent was one of the most amazing people it has ever been my pleasure to know. We all have no idea what we will do without him. It is a comfort to know that he was ready to go on to his new assignment, but he will be missed like no other.

Monique Ciotola

January 29, 2004

With deepest sympathy in the loss of one so deeply loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Monique Ciotola

Ed Knight

January 29, 2004

Kim!

I am truly sorry to learn that Kent has passed on. He was one of my favorite people. I treasure my memories of Kent and your family. Please call on me if there is any way I can help.

christy Yeaman

January 29, 2004

For those of you who do not know me, I was a direct report to Kent. This is a tragic loss not only to me, Kaiser and his family, but to our profession of Pharmacy. Kent was very involved at all levels in ACCP and received multiple honors for service and pursuit of excellence for our profession. He taught many other places how to develop clinical services and most recently was accepted as a Fellow in ACCP. Kent was instramental in developing our clinical service here at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Thanks to Kents efforts and oversight, our department has grown to over 100 Clinical Pharmacists in Primary Care, Specialty Services and Disease State and Population Management Services, most of whom are board certified.

I have worked with few who have showen such support and respect for those who worked for them. You were Kent's colleague and NOT his employee. He never said "No", only "sounds good, lets talk more offline"! Albeit a brief career that I have had, Kent taught me and others who knew him so much about compassion, patience, perseverence and the importance of what it is that we, as clinical pharmacists, do. My entire outlook in life and my profession is forever changed for the better because of knowing Kent Nelson. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity.

Dan Powers

January 29, 2004

Kent will be greatly missed by those of us who had the pleasure of working with him. He taught me a great deal about leadership, dedication and a commitment to excellence. I am very sorry to have lost his presence in my life.

James Crandell

January 29, 2004

I only met Kent a few times, but was always impressed with his presence.

Don Mulhauser

January 29, 2004

Kim, our hearts go out to you at this time. Kent was a great inspiration to us and we will miss him. If there is anything we can do for you please let us help.

Don & Cheryl Mulhauser

John Patterson

January 29, 2004

If there is anything I can do please let me know. Kent was a fine man and an example of how we all should be. I will miss Kent greatly, as we all will. I will not be able to attend Kent's services due to my work sch. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Kent.

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