Jon Hyrum Neilson

Jon Hyrum Neilson was born on June 15, 1955 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the third of seven children born to George and Marjorie Neilson. His siblings are Kristie (Wayne) Goates, Erik Neilson, Karla (Nick) Boren, Kjel (Kittie) Neilson, Lisa Neilson, and Marta Neilson. Soon after his birth the family moved to Pacific Grove, California, where his father began his dental career. After a couple of magical years living by the ocean, the Neilsons began their adventure in Rupert, Idaho, finally settling down in a home they built. That is where he grew up, running through corn forests, floating zucchini boats down the irrigation canal, sewing on his mother’s old Pfaff machine, and learning how to fish. After graduating high school, Jon and his brother Erik began taking scouts on week-long fifty-mile hikes through the Sawtooth and White Cloud mountains. Later they also did white water rafting. He also worked at Hoggan’s, a leather workshop, where he learned even more about sewing. He still has the leather belt he made there.

Jon served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Roanoke, Virginia where he made lifelong connections. He baptized Mom Wilson, who adopted him as her own son. It was also there that he strengthened his testimony and would continue to do so all throughout his life. He was always a true example of Christlike love, living by what he taught. A man of God.

Jon then attended college, first Ricks College in Idaho and then Brigham Young University in Utah. It was there that he heard about a job opportunity in Alaska, and so began spending his summers commercial fishing in Cordova, Alaska, traveling with his fifty-dollar car and a case of oil. Jon studied Political Science while at BYU. He took their survival course where he met Tom Smith, who became a lifelong friend. During this course he learned how to build ancient bow drill fires along with many other survival skills. Jon left looking like he had been in a concentration camp, bones and a big smile.

Jon met a beautiful red head on a blind date while at BYU. He loved to say that it was after this date that his eyes were opened. He married Sherry Anne Hoopes on December 30, 1980 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Provo and Orem, Utah and together they created a family, each child a miracle and perfect in every way: Crystal (Teancum) Bryant, Summer (Trysman) Swope, Jonny (Kelly) Neilson, Mark Neilson, and Malisa Neilson. During this time Jon started a chimney sweep business where he would also repair and install fireplaces. Together, Jon and Sherry worked several summers in Alaska before deciding to set up residence there in the summer of 1989. He was part of the cleanup crew during the Exxon Valdez oil spill that would devastate the Prince William Sound for years to come. In April of 1990, Jon received his Merchant Marine Officer license from the United States Coast Guard. This license would allow him to operate commercial fishing vessels up to 25 tons.

The family bought an acre of rainforest six and a half miles from town where their children roamed, eating blueberries and salmon berries along the way. Family outings often included going out the road to the glacier or sand dunes, teaching their children how to fish at the boat landing, beach combing out at Hartney Bay or doing firework displays for the local branch and friends. Ever the entrepreneur, Jon started a couple businesses. Cordova Canvas Company was his own sewing shop where he made boat covers and cushions for the local fishermen and the US Coast Guard. His work was known for its high quality and many of his products are still used today. The Big Blast Fireworks stand was a fun summer business that the family ran together. His favorite job of all was working for Bill and Irene Weber purse seining for pinks on the Kimbo.

One day Jon decided to go back to school for his CAD/CAM degree, so off the Neilsons went to Cedar City, Utah where he attended Southern Utah University. After graduating he got a great job at a machine shop in LaVerkin, Utah. They sent him to Switzerland to the main Tornos Deco shop where he mastered the art of repairing and rebuilding these machines. These very complex machines were 13 axis lathes with 1/100 of an inch tolerance. They would produce small electrical parts that have to be inspected through a microscope. Jon knew these machines inside and out and after relocating to Provo, Utah he started traveling to California to various shops to rebuild them.

Jon was a grandfather by this time, equally loving and silly. He stole their hearts, all sixteen of them: Dallin, Hartney, Niyah, Sonora, (Crystal) Claire, Aunna, Daen, Jadelyn, Kierra, (Summer) Svea, Evy, Axel, (Jonny) Oceana, Quentin, Dorian, and Soren (Malisa).

Jon loved to spend his time surrounded by family. He was always present in the moment and had unique relationships with each of his children and grandchildren. His favorite pastimes were hiking, admiring nature, and eating vanilla ice cream. He took a particular liking to the Y trail and could hike it in an impressive 24 minutes! Sherry always said that Jon could out-hike an elk. He loved to photograph the sunset from the view of the church parking lot across the street from the family home. Jon will be sorely missed by all who he came into contact with. He had a way of making an impact on everyone that knew him. Whether it was the cashier at the local grocery store, the hitchhiker, or someone he made conversation with on the hiking trail; everyone loved Jon. This was a life well lived and well loved.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Edgemont 4th Ward Chapel, 4056 Timpview Drive, Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held from 10-11:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Eastlawn Memorial Hills. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.

You are invited to watch the funeral LIVE at
https://zoom.us/j/99215467166?pwd=bTVKNVpMbFVSQk1GS2NQVi91R1g5QT09