LaVar Clifford Nelson

LaVar Clifford Nelson, 77, passed away quietly on July 12, 2007 surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer. LaVar was born on October 7, 1929 in Logan, Utah to Wray Nelson and Alta Davis. He spent his early years fishing and playing along the little Logan River.



At the age of 12 he moved with his family to Brigham City and then to Springville. In Springville he spent his teenage years helping in the family business and exploring the right and left forks of Hobble Creek Canyon. Oh, the adventures he had and the stories he would tell.



Upon graduation from Springville High School he enlisted in the Army as an engineer. He served his country in Germany from 1948 1952 and returned home to Springville just in time for the flood of '52. He immediately went to work for Ralph Child building a dike. On one of his trips in the dump truck he gave a ride to a girl walking home from work. They started dating and on January 21, 1953 LaVar and Julia Ellen Loback were married. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. To this union were born three children.



LaVar owned and operated Nelson Furnace Company for many years. In 1968 he went to work for Nebo School District working as a custodian and on District Maintenance. He retired as head custodian at Springville High School after working 25 years for the district. In retirement he and Ellen were able to travel and see much of the western United States. He always loved to come home and go up the canyon to see what had changed while he was gone.



LaVar loved to camp, fish and hike. He left his mark on many trees across the right and left forks of Hobble Creek canyon. There was hardly a trail he had not hiked or a stream he had not fished in. He loved to take his family camping and fishing throughout the state of Utah.



LaVar was an active member of the LDS church serving in many different callings. His favorite was working with the young men as scoutmaster. He was always ready to provide service to those in need.



LaVar is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ellen; three children, Rodney (Robin) of Boise, Idaho; Louise Kinross; and Lisa (Steve) Daybell of Springville; nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one sister, Sherel (Gordon) Nielson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wray and Alta Nelson, and sisters, Louise Nelson and Larae Stallings.



The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Tudor and his staff for his care through this difficult time. Also, Nancy Trapnell and the people at Vista Hospice for their dedicated service.



According to LaVar's wishes, no funeral services will be held. There will be a viewing Tuesday, July 17, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville and also on Wednesday, July 18th from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Graveside services will be held July 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.