Garn Nelson
August 23, 1930 — December 30, 2014
Richfield, Utah - Our kind and beloved husband, father, grandfather, Family Patriarch and Mentor, Joseph Garn Nelson, age 84, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2014 at his home in Richfield, with his loving wife and family at his side. He fought a brave and valiant battle against multiple myeloma for the past 30 years, enduring to the end, never giving in and coming out the victor.
Garn was born August 23, 1930, a son of Joseph Outzen and Luella Jane Stolworthy Nelson in Richfield. He graduated from Richfield High School, Class of 1948 and attended college in Cedar City for one year. He married his childhood sweetheart, Phyllis Colleen Ferguson, June 24, 1949 in Logan, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple, March 13, 1951. He often said where ever his lovely bride was, there was the Garden of Eden. Garn worked at A & W Distributing in Richfield; at the Utah Poultry in Richfield and retired as Manager of Pearson Tire in Richfield in 1992. After his retirement, he helped his son-in-law, with funerals and transports for Springer Turner Funeral Home.
Garn had tremendous integrity and was honest to a fault. He would never allow a misdeed, no matter how small. He was honest in all of his dealings with his fellow men. He was a selfless, kind and humble man, always watching out for the underdog, building up the down trodden, the low in spirit and his fellow men in need. Indeed, he followed the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ, to serve his fellow men. He was non-judgmental and very forgiving and expressed that God only raised one perfect Son.
Garn was active in the LDS Church, serving as a faithful Home Teacher; Young Men's President and on the Stake Young Men's Board; Elders President; served in two Bishoprics and as Bishop of the Richfield 8th Ward; High Priest Group Leader and High Councilman. He served as an ordinance worker at the Manti Temple for 8 years. Garn and his lovely bride, Phyllis, served a full time mission to the Toronto Canada LDS Temple from January 1998 to July of 1999. Garn enjoyed working on cars, and always made sure that all the family cars were well taken care of , from oil changes to new tires, and everything in between. He enjoyed reading, especially about the Civil War and World War II; and reading and studying about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was an example to us all, and has left us with a legacy of love. We look forward to the day when we will be with him again.
He leaves behind his loving bride of 65 years, Phyllis, of Richfield; children: J. Patrick Nelson of Richfield; Brenda and Dave Bell of Pleasant Grove; Marie N. and Bruce W. Turner of Richfield; Gene and Maralee Nelson of Saratoga Springs; Jon and Mariah Nelson of Buda, Texas; foster daughter: LaVerne and Keith Crocker of Salt Lake City; 30 grandchildren; bunches and bunches of great-grandchildren (66, with two on the way); 1 great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.
He is preceded in death by his parents, who he loved and missed so much and was excited to see again; and his dear sister, MaVon Herring.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 12, 2015 at 12 Noon in the Richfield East LDS Stake Center. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Sunday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the Stake Center Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Garn Nelson, please visit our flower store.