Vernen J Nelson

Vernen J. Nelson

March 25, 1934 to July 10, 2026

Vernen J Nelson of Plain City, Utah, died July 10, 2026, at home with his wife by his side after a short, but intensive fight with cancer.

Vern was born March 25, 1934, in Preston, Idaho, the eighth child of Wilford and Margaret Nelson. He was reared on the farm in Mink Creek, working with farm animals and in the fields. His early jobs included keeping young chicks alive on cold nights, stomping down the unbaled hay on the hay wagon, feeding and milking the cows, and various chores. At an early age, he learned the value of hard work, and the importance of family connections, two values that directed his life.

Vern went to elementary school in Mink Creek’s yellow brick schoolhouse with his older siblings. He attended high school in Preston, Idaho, and competed in boxing, and track and field as a runner, where he never lost a race. (Moving slowly was never Vern’s strength. Vern’s dad bought him a buckskin horse when he was in his early teens because he was tired of Vern always running his work horses. Later, Wilford bought Vern his own car for a similar reason.) Vern attended Utah State University, where he studied mechanical engineering.

At Preston High, Vern met and began courting Loretta Byington. The two of them became sweethearts, and married on September 25, 1953. Dad was devoted to Loretta. She was the top priority in his life. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Vern worked more than four decades for Chevron Oil Corporation, formerly Standard Oil Company of California. He started as an assistant station manager and eventually became a regional marketing manager, earning top-performance awards. The company moved him to Idaho, Montana, and Utah.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various responsibilities, including as a bishop twice, a high counselor, a member of a stake presidency, as a temple worker in two temples, a stake missionary, and a full-time missionary with Loretta in the Alabama Birmingham mission.

Vern loved horses, and raised, broke, and trained Arabians. He loved quality cars, BYU sports, and the Jazz, but mostly he loved his family and God.

He is survived by his wife of almost 73 years, his four sons and their spouses: Craig & Heather, Brian & Louise, Steven & Ademir, Mark & Annette, 17 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and two grandsons.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Poplar 4th Ward Chapel, 1800 West 1800 North, Farr West, Utah, 84404. A viewing for friends and family begins at 9 a.m. The funeral will stream live at https://zoom.us/j/97959482575?pwd=siTQQZn5RNkxaqxRvxKuF2nCvq0d8l.1

Interment will be at noon at Lake View Memorial Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah.