1949 ~ 2018
Aaron Alma Nelson, 69, died Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at home peacefully with his daughters Bridget and Amanda. After defeating lymphosarcoma as a teen, and bladder cancer later in life, Alma died after seven years of fighting kidney cancer. He demonstrated the power of the will to live, and an unbeatable gratitude for living.
Born February 25, 1949, in St. George, Utah to V. Pershing and Hattie Nelson, he grew up in Orem, Utah and graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in 1971 and a juris doctorate from the University of Utah in 1974.
As an attorney with Hanson, Nelson & Chipman, he served the insurance bar for four decades, arguing seminal insurance law cases before the appellate courts. With assiduous ethics, personal integrity and notable critical thinking skills, he was a force in litigation.
Alma had a lifelong passion for fly-fishing, hiking and skiing. Always eager to learn and experience more, he loved music, art, architecture and literature. He adored traveling but was a true Utahn - always happy to return to the mountains.
He was intelligent, thoughtful, loyal, stubborn, heroic, clever and will be missed.
He is survived by his daughters Amanda Nelson and Bridget Jones, sisters Kathleen Knight and Karen Lichfield, brother Dennis Nelson, and beloved grandchildren Camrin, James and Elle.
He is preceded in death by his amazing wife Kathleen, his sister Margaret and his parents V. Pershing and Hattie.
Special thanks to his medical teams at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Blake Hamilton, for their years of dedicated treatment and innovation.
A memorial reception will be held to honor and remember Alma's life on Friday, July 20th from 11am to 1pm at the Alta Club, 100 E. South Temple. Funeral directors are Neil O'Donnell & Sons Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.