Joseph Merrill Nelson passed away into the loving arms of his Heavenly Parents and his grandparents on April 29, 2019. He was born the day after Christmas, December 26, 1987, in Ogden, Utah, the firstborn son of Todd and Nancy Nelson. Joseph was a wild, untamed spirit, a feral child born to roam the outdoors, seeking and finding wonder, excitement and adventure everywhere he explored, including the depths of his own consciousness.
He was a deep thinker, spiritualist, leader and teacher. Joseph had a deep and abiding understanding and acceptance of people. He could understand where they were coming from and what they were trying to express whether through word or action.
Because of this, people were drawn to him and he loved to have deep, spiritual and philosophical conversations with others. He had a spirit of cheerfulness that allowed him to always look on the bright side, and see the good that could come from any situation. His life was filled with opportunities to lift and encourage the down-trodden, which he always strived to do.
We may never know how many lives he touched by his kind words, positive attitude, smile, and genuine concern and cheerfulness. Joe was a leader. People saw him having fun and wanted to join him and he blessed their lives by allowing them to share the fun and teaching them.
Joe loved his family and friends and he loved us deeply and forever. Once you were his friend you were always his friend and he would greet you warmly and with a smile. Joe loved music.
He was an amazing guitarist. He loved concerts and listening to music. He felt music deeply and it was an important part of his expression.
He loved adrenaline infused adventure. He said if you weren’t terrified and bloody you weren’t having fun. He loved hiking, camping, snowboarding, long-boarding, biking, skydiving and rock climbing, fighting (bamboo and boxing), cliff jumping, swimming in lakes and ponds.
He loved life and he often expressed the desire to experience everything this world had to offer, and he lived life to the fullest. He loved to have fun. He had a loathing and hatred of injustice and unfairness and cruelty and it caused him great distress to see anyone mistreated.
He fought for the protection of the underdog and wanted everyone treated with kindness and respect. He attended Davis County Schools, graduating from Layton High School in 2005. He had been employed at Utility Trailer.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a testimony that went beyond a typical knowledge or belief. He was shown things that are generally kept hidden, and therefore had a deep understanding of creation and its purpose.
He is survived by his parents, Todd and Nancy Nelson of Layton, his brother David Nelson and sister Breanna Nelson, both of Layton, and two nephews, Talon Nelson and Kaiden Candia. He is also survived by his girlfriend, Marena LeBaron and her girls, Delilah and Leilana, his grandparents Mike and Judy Nelson of Riverdale, and Delores Nelson also of Riverdale, several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Merrill and Mary Allen of Washington Terrace.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 6, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Dawson Hollow Ward, 2435 E. Canyon Rim (1550 N.), Layton. Friends may visit family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.
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