Jay Nelson

HYRUM JAY NELSON (1930-2012)

NIBLEY, UTAH: H. Jay Nelson, 82, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, September 21, 2012. Jay was born May 7, 1930, in Logan, Utah, and was the son of Hyrum Joseph Nelson and Beth McBride Nelson. Jay married his sweetheart, Vellys Jean Hislop Nelson on July 25, 1951 for all time and eternity in the Logan LDS Temple. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together.

Jay was raised in Nibley on his parent’s farm. During WWII all his brother's were serving in the military, so he and his parents moved to Ogden. There he graduated from Ogden High School. After graduation he and Vellys were married and shortly thereafter he was drafted to the Army and stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. While stationed at Ft. Bragg they had the opportunity to become acquainted with many lifetime friends. It was there, their Southern Bell, Jaylene was born. Jay and Vellys returned to Cache Valley to live on their farm. He also worked full-time at Hill Air Force Base in the Material Management Division as a technical manager for the F-4 fighter jets. Jay retired after 31 years of service with Hill Air Force Base.

Jay and Vellys worked actively together at their dairy in Nibley and their ranch in Thatcher, Idaho while raising their six children. Their diligence and hard work was rewarded when their dairy’s milk production was ranked in the top five for the state of Utah. Later, they sold the Idaho ranch and converted their Nibley dairy farm to a beef operation. Jay believed in working hard and playing hard with his family. For enjoyment Jay and his family often traveled, went boating, hunting, and he always supported his children in their 4-H activities. Jay often told his children, "any job worth doing - is worth doing right."

In his political life, Jay served the citizens of Nibley City for 28 years. During which time he was the Council member over water and was instrumental in the construction of the new one million-gallon water storage tank and organizing water service to the citizens of Nibley. He served on the Planning and Zoning Committee and on the City Council for 20 years. Jay served as mayor of Nibley City for 8 years. He served as President of the Cache Mayor's Association as well as numerous other boards and committees during these years.

Jay has always been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a priesthood holder, Jay always set a great example to his family and in his church callings. Jay and Vellys served together as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Logan at the LDS Employment Services. Jay’s actions always demonstrated his strong testimony of the Gospel.

Jay is survived by his wife Vellys, and their children: Jaylene (James) Andersen of Wellsville, Roger (Kathy) Nelson of Nibley, Craig (Marva Jo) Nelson of Murray, Mary Ann (Shawn) Nielsen of Rexburg, and Curtis (Suzanne) Nelson of South Jordan; twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-seven great grand children and his brother Earl Nelson of Hooper. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Carol Jean Nelson, and his siblings, Cyril Nelson, Lois Kendrick, and Boyd Nelson.

Funeral Services will be held at noon on Friday, September 28 at the Nibley LDS Ward Chapel located at 360 West 3200 South. Viewing will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan on Thursday, September 27 from 6:00-8:00pm and prior to the funeral services10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Nilbley LDS Ward Chapel Building . Military rites and internment will be held at the Hyrum City Cemetery.

Condolences and memories maybe shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net