Clay Allen Nielson

Clay Allen Nielson returned to his eternal home on June 25, 2014. He passed away peacefully with family members at his side, at his home in Smithfield, Utah, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He takes with him a sense of humor and gratitude for his blessings that will be missed deeply by his family.
Clay was born to Joseph Wiley and Martha Deloa Hansen Nielson on March 1, 1933 in Moab, Utah. He grew up working alongside his father in the dry farms of Lockerby, Utah. He attended Grand County High School where he excelled in sports, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and tennis. He was still able to find time to achieve the highest honors in academics. His athletic efforts earned him a scholarship to Dixie College in St. George where he played football and basketball. It was here at Dixie where he met Elaine. They dated and were later sealed in the St. George Temple.
A football scholarship to Utah State Agricultural College was offered but Clay was drafted into military service just before football season started. The Army sent him to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and was a specialist in land mine diffusion during the Korean Conflict. He served well and received an honorable release. A highlight of this time was the birth of their first son, Doug. Following his military release they lived in St. George, Utah, where they welcomed their second son, Scott. The following summer, they moved to Moab, where Clay worked in the uranium mill. This was when Clay decided to return to USAC for more schooling. It was during this time where Clay developed his love of woodworking. His carpentry skills continued to increase while he worked in the Anderson Lumber Mill in Logan as the manager of the cabinet shop. Additional responsibilities provided an opportunity to move to Smithfield. Their family also continued to grow, as Cindy, Robert, Mitch and Paul were welcomed into the family. Dad often spoke of Smithfield as a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and spent the remainder of his life there.
In 1966 he started a company of his own, known as Nielson Custom Cabinets. His building career was filled with many enjoyable opportunities. Clay was a master craftsman building many beautiful pieces of furniture. His talents were highly sought after and allowed him opportunities to build over 250 homes in Cache Valley and through out the western United States, several custom dairy set-ups, apartment and office buildings, hotels, and hundreds of custom kitchens. Many hours of Clay's life were spent reading, especially the scriptures, where he gained a great knowledge of the gospel. His love of the scriptures, along with his testimony of Jesus Christ, were some of the many gifts he left to his children. Clay's life was a life of service. He was involved in many church callings which included Bishop, High Council and serving in a Stake Presidency, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He enjoyed teaching Gospel Doctrine, where his clever wit and sense of humor engaged those whom he was teaching. Perhaps his most enjoyable calling was that of Scoutmaster. He taught many young men about responsibility and doing their best as he helped them achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and go on to serve successful missions for the church.
Clay is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his seven siblings, Enos, Lorraine, Jay, Una, Ted, Desie, and Stanley. He is survived by his wife, Elaine and their children; Doug Susan, Scott Carolee, Cindy Bob Larsen, Robert Kathleen, Mitchell Jennifer, and Paul Jackie, sisters-in-law, Erma Nielson, Dorlynn Nielson, and Irene Nielson, and many nieces and nephews. At the time of his death he had 29 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, with one more to be welcomed in the fall.
The family would like to thank Intermountain Hospice for their tender care during the final weeks of his life, with special thanks to Anna, Pennie, Kelli, and Pam for their angelic service and the help given to both mom and dad. They were as a ray of sunshine to brighten Dad's hours in the care they gave to him.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. at the Smithfield Ninth Ward Church, 675 West 200 North, Smithfield Utah. Services will be conducted by Bishop Gary Jensen. A visitation will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main Street in Smithfield and prior to the funeral on Monday at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Smithfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or to Primary Children's Medical Center.