Jackie Ross Nelson, 74, passed away with family by his side after a long illness on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 in Riverton, Wyoming. Ironically on the same day he lost his daddy years previous.
Jackie was born on Thursday, March 13, 1947, son of Weston O. and Betty Jean (Somerville) Nelson in Moab, Utah where he grew up. He lost his father to a trucking accident at the young age of 16, he is the eldest son of seven children, sisters, Clistie Tucker and Dena Wood; brothers, Kenny, Kevin, Craig and deceased baby brother Nolan Nelson.
Growing up he loved to be with his grandparents on their ranch, and his childhood dog Peewee.
Following school, Jackie attended Diesel Mechanic School and Job Corps in Idaho before he was drafted into the United States Army. While serving during the Vietnam War, his orders were changed when boarding the plane where he was sent to Germany instead. He was a specialized diesel mechanic and occasional cook for his fellow soldiers. This is where he learned to make his family’s famous burritos! He also made great chili and a mean beef stew and biscuits and gravy! It was only during a blue moon he would cook.
At one point during this time which many do not know, he was in the movie Rio Conchos, it was filmed around Moab. He was an extra in the movie and his scene was later cut, but his children still consider him their movie Star.
On March 13, 1974, on his 27th birthday, (so he could remember the date) Jackie married Patricia Ann (Olson) Anders in Moab, Utah. During their 20 years of marriage, the couple welcomed three children Kimberly, DeAnna, and Jackie Joe and later divorced in 1994. During his career, he worked in an underground mine in the Moab area and also in a uranium mine.
He followed the oil field to Riverton, Wyoming and made it his home in 1984. Mr. Nelson worked for 50+ year’s as a derrick hand, it was his favorite place to be, high up in the air where he could look out for miles. He also was a driller but didn’t like all the paperwork. Other companies he worked for were H & P, Cyclone, Sauers and Grey Wolf as well as Unit Drilling, SST, and Parker Drilling, Parker Rig 202 caught fire in 1992 with him in the derrick, which was a very scary time for all of his family. There were plenty more companies too many to name them all, he traveled many mile’s all over Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas, to provide for his family, retiring in 2007 due to medical reasons.
Jackie enjoyed rides on his side by side, dirt bikes, fast cars and motorcycles. He was known as a fearless adrenaline junkie. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and playing darts and pool with his family and friends, making jewelry, wood working and spending time with friends and family and especially his great granddaughter Blaiklinn who was born on his 73rd birthday on Friday the 13th of 2020 the 5th child and only girl born on this day in his family. He was the start of a family tradition of birthdays on March 13th in the family, three of which are on Friday the 13th .
He was the ultimate greaser and urban cowboy. He was the very strong silent type, but solid as a rock, was an avid jokester, and always trying to tickle or wrestle around. His favorite and beloved animals include, his childhood dog, Peewee Cutie Pie who lived to the ripe old age of 16, he got her as a puppy a year before Kimberly was born. Cocheese (Cheeso) was given to him by his mother Betty who raised poodle’s and Maltese puppies. His horse Ceta and her foal Lightening was given to Jackie Joe as a child. He had two cat’s Tigger and his beloved Sasha who was at his bedside when he passed.
He is survived by Daughter, Kimberly (Duane) Raymond of Riverton and their children Brittinie (J.J.) Crichton and BreAnna (Justin Root) Raymond; Daughter, DeAnna (Dustin McLaughlin) Nelson of Riverton and their children, Dakota (Austen Wells) Nelson of Newcastle WY, Weston McLaughlin and Kylee McLaughlin of Riverton; Son, Jackie Joe (Shylo) Nelson and their children, Serienty and Stella all of Riverton and two great grandchildren Braydyn and Blaiklinn Crichton of Riverton; brothers, Kenny Nelson , Kevin (Darleen) Nelson and Craig (Mary) Nelson; sisters, Clistie (Ward)Tucker and Dena Wood; uncle, Sam Somerville and aunt, Carol (Jeanine Somerville) Long , numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, Weston Nelson and Betty Nelson Scarlett; step-father, Wayne Scarlett; brother, Nolan Nelson and nephew, Weston Wood, granddaughter Brenna Ann Nelson.
Funeral services will be held Monday December 6, 2021 at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel on 400 North.
A viewing will be held at the Spanish Valley Mortuary Sunday December 5, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment will follow at Grand Valley Cemetery in Moab, Utah with Military Honors.
A celebration of life in will be held in Riverton WY at a later date to be determined under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com and, or at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Jackie was born on Thursday, March 13, 1947, son of Weston O. and Betty Jean (Somerville) Nelson in Moab, Utah where he grew up. He lost his father to a trucking accident at the young age of 16, he is the eldest son of seven children, sisters, Clistie Tucker and Dena Wood; brothers, Kenny, Kevin, Craig and deceased baby brother Nolan Nelson.
Growing up he loved to be with his grandparents on their ranch, and his childhood dog Peewee.
Following school, Jackie attended Diesel Mechanic School and Job Corps in Idaho before he was drafted into the United States Army. While serving during the Vietnam War, his orders were changed when boarding the plane where he was sent to Germany instead. He was a specialized diesel mechanic and occasional cook for his fellow soldiers. This is where he learned to make his family’s famous burritos! He also made great chili and a mean beef stew and biscuits and gravy! It was only during a blue moon he would cook.
At one point during this time which many do not know, he was in the movie Rio Conchos, it was filmed around Moab. He was an extra in the movie and his scene was later cut, but his children still consider him their movie Star.
On March 13, 1974, on his 27th birthday, (so he could remember the date) Jackie married Patricia Ann (Olson) Anders in Moab, Utah. During their 20 years of marriage, the couple welcomed three children Kimberly, DeAnna, and Jackie Joe and later divorced in 1994. During his career, he worked in an underground mine in the Moab area and also in a uranium mine.
He followed the oil field to Riverton, Wyoming and made it his home in 1984. Mr. Nelson worked for 50+ year’s as a derrick hand, it was his favorite place to be, high up in the air where he could look out for miles. He also was a driller but didn’t like all the paperwork. Other companies he worked for were H & P, Cyclone, Sauers and Grey Wolf as well as Unit Drilling, SST, and Parker Drilling, Parker Rig 202 caught fire in 1992 with him in the derrick, which was a very scary time for all of his family. There were plenty more companies too many to name them all, he traveled many mile’s all over Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas, to provide for his family, retiring in 2007 due to medical reasons.
Jackie enjoyed rides on his side by side, dirt bikes, fast cars and motorcycles. He was known as a fearless adrenaline junkie. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and playing darts and pool with his family and friends, making jewelry, wood working and spending time with friends and family and especially his great granddaughter Blaiklinn who was born on his 73rd birthday on Friday the 13th of 2020 the 5th child and only girl born on this day in his family. He was the start of a family tradition of birthdays on March 13th in the family, three of which are on Friday the 13th .
He was the ultimate greaser and urban cowboy. He was the very strong silent type, but solid as a rock, was an avid jokester, and always trying to tickle or wrestle around. His favorite and beloved animals include, his childhood dog, Peewee Cutie Pie who lived to the ripe old age of 16, he got her as a puppy a year before Kimberly was born. Cocheese (Cheeso) was given to him by his mother Betty who raised poodle’s and Maltese puppies. His horse Ceta and her foal Lightening was given to Jackie Joe as a child. He had two cat’s Tigger and his beloved Sasha who was at his bedside when he passed.
He is survived by Daughter, Kimberly (Duane) Raymond of Riverton and their children Brittinie (J.J.) Crichton and BreAnna (Justin Root) Raymond; Daughter, DeAnna (Dustin McLaughlin) Nelson of Riverton and their children, Dakota (Austen Wells) Nelson of Newcastle WY, Weston McLaughlin and Kylee McLaughlin of Riverton; Son, Jackie Joe (Shylo) Nelson and their children, Serienty and Stella all of Riverton and two great grandchildren Braydyn and Blaiklinn Crichton of Riverton; brothers, Kenny Nelson , Kevin (Darleen) Nelson and Craig (Mary) Nelson; sisters, Clistie (Ward)Tucker and Dena Wood; uncle, Sam Somerville and aunt, Carol (Jeanine Somerville) Long , numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, Weston Nelson and Betty Nelson Scarlett; step-father, Wayne Scarlett; brother, Nolan Nelson and nephew, Weston Wood, granddaughter Brenna Ann Nelson.
Funeral services will be held Monday December 6, 2021 at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel on 400 North.
A viewing will be held at the Spanish Valley Mortuary Sunday December 5, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment will follow at Grand Valley Cemetery in Moab, Utah with Military Honors.
A celebration of life in will be held in Riverton WY at a later date to be determined under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com and, or at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com