Steven Secrist Nelson

Steven Secrist Nelson passed away on June 19, 2026, at the age of 85. Steven was born August 6, 1940, to Walter Varley and Amy Estella Secrist Nelson of West Bountiful. He attended West Bountiful Elementary, Bountiful Junior High and Bountiful High Schools. He graduated from Bountiful High School in 1958. He served 8 years in the US Army Reserves from 1958 to 1968 and received an honorable discharge with the rank of Staff Sargent.

He served an LDS Church mission in the Vienna Austria from 1961 to 1963. He had a great love of the Austrian people and Austrian and German traditions. Their culture later became part of his family's holiday traditions. He loved to frequent German restaurants to enjoy their food and speak German with the staff. He taught his children to count in German before he taught them in English.

Following his mission, he attended the University of Utah and Weber College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Banking and Finance and minors in Accounting and Economics. He was employed at the Utah State Tax Commission for 35 years and made many friends.

Steven married Carolyn Cundick on August 27, 1970, in the Salt Lake Temple. They honeymooned in Europe for 6 weeks following their wedding. They made their home in Centerville, Utah, where they raised four wonderful children.

He was a faithful member of the church and attended the temple weekly with his wife. He was diligent at keeping a journal which he wrote in nearly every day.

Steven had great love for the scouting program which began at an early age. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 16. As an adult, he volunteered in various capacities for over 40 years and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was also recipient of numerous BSA district and council awards. In 2001, he was able to attend the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. He loved the Cub Scout program and had a special ceremony he wrote to present youth who had earned the highest award, the Arrow of Light.

He enjoyed photography and reading about history, especially WWII history. He loved spending time working in his garden with his father and his son. He loved to talk to people who walked by his house while he worked in the yard. He was known to joke with them that he had an extra "idiot stick" (shovel or hoe) and that they were welcome to join in him for some "recreational therapy" (weed pulling). He got joy in sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends.

He is survived by his four children: Jennifer (Brad) Page, Steven (Morgan) Nelson, Stephanie (Stephen) Cable, and Carlynn (Tyler) James. He has 17 grandchildren and one great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his parents and a sister.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to Barton Creek Assisted Living: the nurses, CNAs, staff and residents, Inspiration Home Health, and Hospice, and to all those who lovingly cared for Steven the last 18 months of his life.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Ricks Creek Chapel, 1475 North 50 East in Centerville, Utah. Family and friends may visit from 9:00-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.