Russell Douglas Nielson, 43, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019. He was born August 11, 1975 in Murray, Utah to Douglas Boyd and Julia Davis Nielson, and was raised in Bloomington, Utah. He married Joanna Leary Nielson on June 7, 1997 in the Saint George Temple.

Russell was an Eagle Scout.  He graduated from Pine View High School in 1993. He was recognized for his scholastic excellence and his athletic ability. His senior year, he received the Athlete of the Year Award for excelling in baseball, football, and basketball. Russell served a mission in Manchester, England. He loved his mission and touched so many lives and had a great influence on so many. He met the love of his life and future wife, Joanna, who was also serving in the same mission. Russell continued on to the University of Utah and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance.

Russell went on to work in the family business, where he was the President and CEO of St. George Truss Company. He enjoyed working with a great office staff and those who worked in the yard. He loved his work.

Russell and Joanna were blessed with seven beautiful children. He was so proud of them and would rave about them to everyone he met. He so cherished his time with his family. He was the best dad in the entire world and his children were his best friends and he was theirs. One of his many special gifts was to make his family and friends laugh. He wanted everyone around him to be happy and was always finding ways to help those in need. He was always kind and was extremely unselfish. We cannot begin to count all of the good deeds Russell has done for others throughout his life. There is not a more compassionate, loving, thoughtful and kind son, husband, father and brother than our Russell.

Russell absolutely loved coaching his KAOS Softball team and loved all of the girls, especially two of his daughters that played, Britain and Kiara. He cherished all the memories he made with his softball studs and the many notes he received from them. Softball was his passion. He was always so supportive and positive to his team. Russell was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan and raised his kids to be too. Russ, Britain, and Kiara had recently attended the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016, and they loved every second of it.

Russell is preceded in death by his loving grandparents, Boyd and Thelma Nielson, Rulon and Elizabeth Davis, and his brother, Brian Boyd Nielson. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Joanna Nielson, his beloved kids: Britain, Kiara, McKenna, Brookelyn, Braxton, Rigdon and Jaeger; his adoring parents, Douglas and Julia Nielson, his loving sisters: Lindsay Nielson, Heather (Max) Smith, Tamara (Todd) Jones and Michelle Nielson.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Northbridge Ward, 1080 West Arlington Street, Washington, Utah, Visitations will be held Friday, January 25th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd, St. George, Utah, and prior to service, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the church.  Interment will be, Monday, January 28th at 1:00 p.m.  at the Holladay Memorial Park Cemetery.