Donald Nelson Obituary

Donald Tracy Nelson, 90, of Provo, Utah, passed away on July 10, 2025, surrounded by all of his children. Donald was born on September 29, 1934, in Price, Utah. He grew up in Helper among the coal mining camps, where he often said you couldn't spend a day playing outside without getting covered in coal dust.
Donald was raised alongside his eight siblings-Lela, Bonnie, Barbara, Nick, Steve, Marilyn, Madelyn, and Arlene-by his mother, Margie Jacobs, and had many father figures throughout his life. He met his birth father, James Nelson, only once. When Donald was very young, Margie married Bruce Briest, whom he remembered fondly. Sadly, Bruce died in a mining accident just a few years later. Bruce's brother, Henry Briest, then stepped in to help care for the family.
As a teenager, Donald spent a summer living with his sister Lela and her husband, Marv. Marv was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived in a way that deeply impressed Donald. Inspired by his example, Donald joined the Church.
Donald met his sweetheart, Elaine Duke, at Carbon High. On June 18, 1954, Donald and Elaine were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Utah Temple.
He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Ontario Mission. During his mission, Donald had the unique opportunity to play football with the Peterborough Orfuns, who went on to win the Canadian championship game held at Morrow Park on November 19, 1955.
Donald served as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army, rising from private to first lieutenant. He graduated second in his class from officer training.
Donald was hard-working, resilient, and a natural leader. Like many of his generation, he faced challenges with grit and determination, striving to succeed in every area of his life. Because he grew up poor, Donald once shared that he promised himself he would eat ice cream every day as an adult-and through his hard work, he kept that promise pretty well. He loved to share memories from his childhood that would make you laugh, think, or pause a little longer. Through his life, he taught what it meant to live simply, love deeply, and serve as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Donald earned a master's degree in Public Administration and had a prolific, service-centered career at Brigham Young University and within the Church. He worked as a registration officer, Director of Development-helping to raise funds for the Marriott Center-and became the first director of LDS Philanthropies. Concurrently, he taught New Testament and Organizational Behavior at BYU. Donald loved working at BYU and equally enjoyed BYU sports; he was a season ticket holder and often took family members to experience the electric atmosphere of football and basketball games.
His church service was equally dedicated. He served faithfully in many callings, including scoutmaster, gospel doctrine teacher, bishop, branch president at the Missionary Training Center, and counselor in a stake presidency. Among his family, however, he was best known in his role as an award-winning equestrian and farmer.
Donald was a farmer in the truest sense-not just by trade. He worked the land with patience and purpose. He knew the value of hard work, early mornings, and steady hands. He tended to his family as he tended his crops: with care, intention, and love.
Donald will be remembered as a provider not only for his own family, but for all those around him. He made sure others were cared for. Donald would bring home vegetables from the farm, and Elaine would arrange them into baskets to deliver to neighbors or anyone in need. His influence on the lives he touched was profound and lasting. He eagerly shared his deep conversion and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone he met. His quick wit and love of language shone through in many forms-books, essays, poems, memos, or playful rhyming games with his grandchildren.
Donald is survived by his siblings: Nick (Joyce), Marilyn (Boyd), Madelyn, and Arlene; and by his children: Tracy Nelson Radmall (Alan), Mark D Nelson (Jen), Daniel D Nelson (Kristi), and Christopher D Nelson (Sherri). Donald and Elaine's legacy continues through their fifteen grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held for family and friends on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Nelson Family Mortuary (4780 N University Ave, Provo, UT). A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Graveside services will take place at the Mapleton Cemetery (620 W Maple St, Mapleton, UT), which was previously the location of Donald's final farm. Donald and Elaine will be buried together in the shade of the trees where he and his family often paused for lunch after a day of working the land he loved.