George S. Nelson died March 7, 1995. An inventor, champion swimmer, published writer and civil and structural engineer on many major buildings from Kingsbury Hall to the LDS Church Office Building.
Born October 20, 1898 to Joseph Smith and Leonora Smith Nelson, he proceeded not many years later to build his first boat out of a washtub. At LDS High School, he broke many intermountain states AAU swimming records as well as serving as student body president. He went on to captain the University of Utah Swim Team and set new AAU swimming records in every freestyle event from the 100 yard dash to the six mile swim from Antelope Island to Saltair, with the nearest competitor a mile behind. His father, Joseph Nelson, owned Saltair and offered Johnny Weismuller $1000 to compete in that race (he declined). Although his university career was interrupted by an LDS mission to the eastern states and service in World War I, he was a class officer for two years and graduated in the school of engineering. Started his own professional engineering business early in the depression, he received eight patents for his inventions. Many university buildings and LDS temples followed. He served in the Presidency of his Seventies Quorum and as Counselor to Bishop Richard S. Tanner.He was married to Edna Virginia Cannon and is survived by a sister, Alice Cannon, and two daughters, Jinny Lee Snow-Wilson and Janet Marjorie Sheffied, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will always remember his gentleness, generosity, soaring mind and sense of humor.
Traveling by horseback early to most of the western parks, he had an intense love of the wilderness. Any donations may be sent to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
At his request, there will be no services.
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