Redmond, Utah - Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend, Ken Terrel Nelson, passed away and returned to his Father in Heaven to be with his parents on Tuesday evening, June 9, 2026. He died peacefully, surrounded by his wife, children, brother, and family, at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah.

Ken was born on August 24, 1956 in Gunnison, Utah to Terrel Nelson and Rhea Caldwell Nelson of Redmond. He grew up on the family farm and cattle ranch where he developed a love for horses, ranching, and the Cowboy Western way of life. He attended North Sevier High School where he made many lifelong friends and thrived in sports and leadership in the FFA. He learned about ranching and farming from his father and grandfather and gained an impeccable work ethic from that and working daily in the Redmond service station.

After graduating high school, he attended Snow College while serving as the State FFA Sentinel until he was old enough to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Dublin, Ireland. Upon returning from his mission, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Leslee Mellor Nelson, on May 20, 1978. They were married and sealed in the Manti Temple. They were inseparable, celebrating their 48th anniversary just three weeks prior to his death.

Ken worked with his father and brother, Kirby Nelson, to expand their business into Nelson Sunbeam Coal in Salina, Utah. Over the years they continued to grow their cattle operation and trucking business and expand their farm acreage. Eventually, his son and nephews joined the business and helped it continue to thrive. In farming, Ken served on several different water board associations. He also served as President of the Brown’s Hole Grazing Association for nearly two decades.

Ken was active in the community and his church. His favorite of his many church callings was working with young men. He loved helping them pursue their goals in scouting and found great joy in seeing so many achieve their Eagle Scout award and go on to college and serve missions. He also served in the Redmond City Council because of his deep love for Redmond. He always praised Redmond for being the closest thing to heaven on earth.

Ken always claimed his greatest joy and accomplishment in life was his family. He was happiest when he was with his children and grandchildren. He was seldom seen working on the farm without a child or grandchild by his side. Ken loved taking his whole family to the National Finals Rodeo and took many other trips with his family and wife.

He is survived by: his wife Leslee; brother Kirby (Leslie) Nelson; brothers-in-law Gary (Rita) Myrup and Ray Ginther; children Ryan Nelson, Katie (Matt) Mogle, Rhett (Ashlie) Nelson, and Riley Nelson; and 9 grandchildren.

Ken is preceded in death by: parents Terrel and Rhea Nelson; parents-in-law Cal and Carole Mellor; sisters-in-law Marie Ginther and Sheree McKean; and nephew Mace Nelson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 12:00pm at the Redmond LDS Ward Chapel, where friends and family may call for viewing Friday evening, June 19, 2026 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, or on Saturday morning from 10:00am-11:30am. The burial will take place at the Redmond Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina. Anyone who would like to join Ken in one last ride to the cemetery, you are welcome to bring your horse.

Livestreaming of Ken’s funeral will be available under his obituary at springerturner.com 15 minutes prior to services starting.

The family would like to thank the skilled EMTs of North Sevier and the caring staff at Gunnison Valley Hospital and Utah Valley Hospital. Your care and compassion is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.