Dee Ford Nelson passed peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the age of 71. He exemplified the two great commandments to love God and love your neighbor. He spent many countless hours in service to his fellowman. He was full of humor, wit, wisdom, and was dearly loved.
Dee was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Harold Ford and Beverly Bowles Nelson and grew up in Vale, Oregon. He spent many hardworking and happy days on the farm with his sister Trudy. In high school, he was student body president, pitcher on the baseball team and quarterback for the football team. He graduated from Vale High School in 1970. He spent a short time at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon, before joining the US Navy.
Later, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Little Rock Arkansas Mission. After returning home, he attended Brigham Young University where he met his wife, Maureen Munson. They were sealed in the Manti Utah Temple on November 30, 1979. They were blessed with four wonderful children: Corey Dee, Celeste, Colette, and Garret Ford.
His career took them to many places in Washington, Texas, Oregon and Utah. He spent the majority of his career working for Intermountain Healthcare as a Business Systems Analyst.
The majority of his life was spent in Woods Cross, Utah. He served in many callings including scouting, teaching, as a Bishop and a member of a Stake Presidency. Scouting was a big part of his life. Later he was awarded the Silver Beaver in scouting. Dee and Maureen served a full-time mission in the Charlotte North Carolina Mission from 2019 - 2020. They recently completed two years as Service Mission Leaders in the Utah Layton Mission. He truly loved all his missionaries.
He had a love of life and enjoyed being outside camping, fishing, flying and serving his neighbors. He especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Dee was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Maureen; sister Trudy Tippetts (Mark); uncle Dennis Bowles (Idona); his four children Corey Nelson (Adrienne), Celeste Nelson, Colette McCullough (Matt), Garrett Nelson (Traci); and 14 grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 30, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Russon Mortuary, located at 295 N. Main, Bountiful, UT. On Friday, March 31, a viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 am, with funeral services following at 11:00 am, at the Woods Cross Stake Center, located at 2064 S. 800 W. Woods Cross, UT. Interment will be at the Bountiful Cemetery.
Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund.
Services will be streamed live on Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and this obituary page.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Dixie Bowen
March 30, 2023
Dee was one of those people who was deeply spiritual but not afraid to have a good time. He was a bright light wherever he went--full of wit and wisdom and great caring for friends and families. He will be greatly missed.
Dixie Bowen
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Bryan Zaugg
March 29, 2023
Dear Maureen and family, I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Dee´s passing. He was a great mentor, exemplar and friend. Just thinking about him brings a smile to my face. Among other things, he taught me the importance of being dependable and trustworthy-someone with whom he would "go to the mountain." Whether or not I have become that kind of person, I know that I would go to the mountain with Dee.
Please accept my sincere love and condolences.
Dave Lehman
March 27, 2023
I first met Dee as "President Nelson" when he was serving as a member of the Stake Presidency. The opening paragraph of his obituary perfectly describes the man I knew. I really cherish the relationship I had with him that was based on Jesus Christ, and full of MUCH 'wit, humor, and wisdom'! I am grateful for his example, and for the blessing of knowing his wife and oldest son, a dear friend of mine. Best wishes to his loving family. So grateful to have had my life touched by this wonderful man and valiant son of a loving Heavenly Father!
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