Reed Nelson

KAYSVILLE - Reed Nelson (Doyle Reed Nelson), beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, engineer, and friend passed July 12, 2023, at the age of 81, surrounded by his five sons. 

Reed was born in Brigham City, Utah on December 2, 1941, as the only son and middle child of Doyle and Jean Marie Nelson. He graduated from Davis High School in 1960 and from Weber State College with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1970. He married his eternal companion, Beverly Nona Williams, in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on November 15, 1968. Together, they had a wonderful life, raising five boys, building their own home, and succeeding in their individual careers. They are the proud grandparents of 22 grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 23 years.

Reed was a trailblazer. He was part of a large family of six daughters and he the one son. His responsibilities began early and were many. He embraced these roles and responsibilities and loved developing new skills and accomplishing his goals. Reed was the first in his family to go to college, volunteer for a church proselyting mission, and serve in the military. Reed enlisted in the U.S. Navy for two years and served as a machinist on a Naval repair ship. While on shore leave in San Diego, he met a recent convert to his church, and his future wife, Beverly. After getting married and completing his military service, they moved to Utah and started their family.

Reed always had a knack for mechanical things and embraced hard work. He personally built their family home in Kaysville and always seemed to have the tools and the skills for any job with which the neighbors or family needed help. Professionally, he worked as an aerospace engineer for both Thiokol Propulsion and the U.S. Air Force. He was personally responsible for designing the ignitor for the Space Shuttle’s booster rocket and was the head engineer for the canopy and ejection systems for the F-16 fighter jet. He served several terms as a Kaysville City Council Member, with other interests including wood working projects for his grandchildren and camping and hunting with family members.

Reed was never one to tout his own accomplishments, but he was very proud to tell everyone that four of his sons were doctors and one was a judge. His love of his posterity was magnified with his grandchildren. Nothing lit Reed’s face up with joy more than a visit from his grandchildren. 

As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many callings in the several wards and stakes in which he resided. He had a great love for the Savior Jesus Christ and a strong, abiding testimony of the Lord’s restored gospel. He loved family history and sharing this testimony with others, often in Spanish when the opportunity presented itself. Reed served three missions for the Church: one full-time proselyting mission to Chile; one guiding visitors and youth groups along the ‘Mormon Trail’ near Martin’s Cove Wyoming; and another mission as part of Correctional Services in Salt Lake City, responding to inmate’s letters and questions.  

Reed is dearly loved by many and is survived by his five boys (and their spouse): Chadd, San Antonio, TX; Trent (Amanda), Kaysville, UT; Brett (Natalia), Boston, MA; Travis (Julia), Highland, UT; and Cory (Andrea), Lehi, UT. He is also survived by his older sisters, Dorothy and Laraine (Jim), and his younger sisters, Lynda (Karl), Nedra (Errol), and Judy (Les). He is preceded by his parents, Doyle and Jean Marie; his wife, Beverly; his older sister, Margene; and his granddaughter, Anna Nelson. 

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Webster Ward Chapel, 205 S. Angel Street, Kaysville, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah and Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

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