Dale O. Nelson

LOGAN, UTAH: Dale O. Nelson, 88, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2008 surrounded by his wife and children. He was born May 14,1920 in College Ward, Utah, son of Orville E. and Esther E. Nelson. He was reared and educated in Cache Valley, graduating from South Cache High School and Utah State University with a bachelors and masters degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. He then received his doctorate degree from USC.
He married Alice Bateman of Logan, Utah on September 19,1941 in the Salt Lake Temple and they were soon to celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary.
Dale served in the Army during WVVII and went to Korea with his Utah National Guard Unit. He spent his entire professional life as a professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Utah State University where he taught, coached, and for a period served as department chair. He was an avid sports fan and a loyal Aggie. He loved his students and loved the role as mentor in their careers. He was well known in the community as a jogger, writer, and fitness advisor. He could be seen for 35 years on Friday nights refereeing basketball and football along the Wasatch front. He loved his profession and was a great example of "practicing what he preached." During his career he was active in his professional circles and served a term as President of the Southwest District of the National Association of Dance, Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was very proud to be inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
He was a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as a bishop, member of the high council, stake executive secretary and counselor in the Stake Presidency, all in the university stakes, serving students whom he loved. He and Alice served a mission to Chihuahua, Mexico. He also enjoyed working in the temple with the Hispanic members.
Dale is survived by his wife Alice, and five children, Vicki (Larry) Obray, of North Ogden, Pat (Cordell) Fonnesbeck, of Casper, WY, Julie, (Jeff) Jorgensen, of Helper, UT, Jerry (Pam) Nelson, of Ogden, UT and Lori (Darren) Hedin, of Centerville, UT. Twenty five grandchildren give or take a few and 32 great grandchildren more or less. He has three surviving sisters, Carole Pattee, Elaine Fuhriman, and lone Jasper, and a large extended family.
Funeral services will be held, Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 11 :00 am at the Allen-Hall Mortuary. Friends and family may call Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday morning, from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM. Interment will follow at the Logan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers friends may donate to the Utah State University Foundation, 1440 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-1440 where the family is setting up a scholarship fund in Dale's name. Online condolences can be extended to the family online at www.allenmortuaires.net