Harold Wayne Nelson passed away on Oct. 15, 2019 at his home in Green River, Utah, surrounded by his loving family.
Harold was born Aug. 8, 1944, in Moab, but grew up in Green River working on the family farm raising watermelon and hay, and helping with the cattle. He helped herd cows up into the Book Cliffs in the spring and back down in the fall.
He graduated high school in 1963 and attended Salt Lake Trade Tech the next year. He served two years in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division.
He met and married Sharon Jackson in 1968 and they raised two girls, Angela Rae and Regina Kaye, in Moab. Harold worked in the local uranium mines, hauled ore and also spent some time working on a drill platform. In early 1982, he was in a mining accident and was unable to continue mining. He then spent several years as a truck driver.
Almost every fall, Harold could be found hunting deer and elk. He also enjoyed camping and fishing with his family. Weaver Reservoir in the Book Cliffs was his favorite place to camp, fish and also ride around the old family homestead. When his grandkids started arriving, Harold said if he’d known “how much fun they were, I would have had them first.”
Harold and Sharon had property in Green River and, after developing it in the late 1990s, they moved there with a horse and two mules. They then bought some cows and he went back to herding cattle into the Book Cliffs.
After retiring from chasing cows, Harold spent his time raising a few melons, driving the dirt roads and teaching his grandkids and great-grandkids to drive and explore the same areas he grew up in and loved so much.
Harold’s parents, Homer and Earline, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Bruce and Ann Nelson, Carolyn and Richard Wilson, Linda Woolsey and Bob Stafford, and Randy and Jackie Nelson; by his daughters Angie Mortensen and Gina Nelson-Winters; his grandchildren, Amanda and husband Branden Lammert, Kyle Young, Jessie Wilson, Anthony Nelson and Symone Robinson; and his eight wonderful great-grandchildren, Ariana, Camryn, Hayden, Kailey Ray, Braxton, Konnor, Abigail and Josephine.
He will be remembered as a fun-loving dad and grandpa with a great sense of humor and a hug for everyone. His family is grateful for all the caregivers that were with him throughout the last several years, and for all of the support and love from all of his family and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Green River Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
