Jeffrey Michael "Jeff" Nelums

1981 - 2025

Jeffrey "Jeff" Michael Nelums passed away peacefully with his wife Breanne by his side after a long and courageous fight with Glioblastoma on August 29th, 2025.
Jeff was born in Bishop, California on May 26th,1981 to Michael and Lorie Nelums. Jeff spent his childhood and young adult years in Bishop, but has been a resident of Big Pine for the past 15 years. During Jeff's early childhood he developed a passion for the outdoors; particularly hunting, fishing, and exploring the Owens Valley. When Jeff was a little boy he loved ducks, thus his nickname "Jeffrey Duck" was born - perfectly fitting as he eventually became an avid duck hunter. Jeff attended elementary, middle, and high school in Bishop, graduating from Bishop Union High School in 2000. Following his interest in the automotive industry, he attended and graduated from Wyoming Technical University with a certificate in auto body detail.
For many years Jeff provided auto body services to the Owens Valley community with a big smile; often with his first hunting dog Ebby happily tagging along with him to the shop. Jeff's love for his hunting dogs started as a young adult, and while Jeff was not the biggest fan of studying you could find him reading any and everything about training hunting dogs. Jeff was eventually lucky enough to turn his passion into a career when he became the manager of long-time family friend Reagan Slee's outdoor shop (Reagan's Sporting Goods). Jeff continued to serve with his trademark smile, often accompanied by his loyal K-9 companions, Ebby, Avery, and Lady Bird, who were beloved shop dogs at Reagan's Sporting Goods. His girls were exceptionally well-behaved regulars at the shop and never ran short on treats, head pats or belly rubs. If you didn't see Jeff at the shop, you could find him in his white Tacoma or side-by-side somewhere in the outdoors.
During his young adult years, Jeff began dating his lifelong partner, Breanne Nelums. Growing up together in the Wilkerson community, their bond began in childhood – complete with playful snowball fights, one of which Jeff took a little too far, leaving Breanne with a memorable 'battle scar.' Despite that early mishap, their friendship blossomed into love, and they went on to share more than 23 years together until Jeff's final breath. Jeff and Breanne established a rich and fulfilling life together built around their love for animals, taking out their side-by-side with friends, camping in their travel trailer, hunting and fishing; and hosting friends and family at their house. Jeff and Breanne could cook a mean meal together, with Jeff manning the grill and Breanne manning the stove, nobody left hungry. Jeff entertained Breanne's softie heart for animal oddities which ultimately helped enrich their lives with the likes of Sadie, Festus, Phoebe and Frankie. Jeff may have acted as though he didn't care for her pets - but he was caught many a times with one or more of them in his lap.
Jeff is best remembered for his smile, calm nature, and ability to make people laugh most notably with his dancing skills. Jeff was effortlessly funny and maintained a childlike sense of wonder and mischief all the way up to the end. Jeff had a positive impact on this community in a variety of ways, but especially for his kindness and respectful attitude towards everyone.
Jeff is preceded in death by his mother, Lorie Nelums and his father, Michael Nelums. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Breanne Nelums, his sister and sister in-law, Samantha and Cynthia Nelums, sister in-law and brother in-law, Tara and Danny Egelhoff, his niece, Daphne Egelhoff, great-niece Emma Egelhoff; and his nephews Addison Egelhoff and Jeffrey Nelums (named after his Uncle Jeff), and his mother in-law Sharon Brewer. Jeff is also survived by countless beloved friends and family.
Graveside services are to be announced at a later time but are expected to be in late November. The Nelums family thanks everyone in the community for their support, especially those who have been present with Jeff and Breanne during their long and arduous medical journey.