Don Jay Nelson 1926 ~ 2007 Don was born in East Ely, NV on 21 April 1926, the son of Justin and Clara Stark Nelson. He grew up mostly in Moroni, UT. Passed away on 12 April 2007 from complications of pneumonia in West Valley City, UT. Enlisted in the US Navy Sept. 1943 and was discharged in May, 1946, serving as a Pharmacist's Mate. Married Lois Braithwaite in 1947 -Divorced. Married Lorene Ricks 3 Dec. 1949 in Ely, NV. Worked on Guam for J. H. Pomeroy as a First Aid Man for one year after his service in the Navy. Employed by the Kennecott Refinery for 30 years, retiring in Sept. 1982. He played the trumpet, preferably jazz. Some of his hobbies were leather-craft, hunting, fishing, photography, traveling and trapshooting. He also liked building gunstocks for rifles and he learned how to tie fishing flies. He always enjoyed having a dog. He was a member of The Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation and a Life member of the NRA. Survived by his wife, Lorene and four children, Virginia (Sam) Mascarenas, Rebecca Van Liere, David K. Nelson and Patricia (Alan) Wilson. Also, six grandsons, Jason Rider, Dax (Jamie) Mascarenas, Austin Mascarenas, Loren (Micah) Wilson, Ryan Van Liere and Matthew Wilson and three great-grandsons which include Hayden and Kalan Wilson and Alex Mascarenas. Three sisters survive also. They are Mary Ellen (Con) Brady of Highland, UT; Georgia (Art) Peterson, Lehi, UT; and Carma Horne, Kaysville, UT. Funeral Services will be on Monday, April 16, 2007, 11:00 a.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road where a viewing will be held on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Monday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park. Casual dress, optional. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The Nature Conservancy or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
