Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Roscoe Noel Nelson, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, on April 3, 2025, at the age of 92.

Roscoe “Noel” Nelson was born in Ogden, UT in 1932. The family moved to Lynn, UT, a short time after Noel’s birth. It was a very remote area, and sometimes it snowed so badly they could not get out for months. They moved to Taylor, UT, in 1940, and later to Jackpot, NV, in 1946. 

Our grandma had her hands full with our dad from the start—he was always moving. Noel spoke lovingly of his mother, Alva. “My sweet mother’s prayers were the main reason that Russell and I lived through our childhood. We put her through a lot.” 

Noel was the second of four children. He loved all his siblings and especially cared for his little sister, Denise.

As kids, he and his brother, Russell, frequently bothered (tormented) their ranch hand, “Shorty.” One time, they set fire to the outhouse when Shorty was inside. Although Shorty was quite angry at the time, he held a deep affection for the lively Nelson boys and ultimately forgave them.

Noel had several close calls as a kid. He and his brother were always finding some way to get in trouble. His sister described him with affection, stating that he, “had always been a rebel.” From filling the saddlebags with old dynamite to blow up random areas at the family ranch, passing out at 3 years old because he loved the smell of gasoline so much he had stuck his face over the gas tank, to crashing into the back of a school bus as a teenager while flirting with the girls in the back seat—Noel kept everyone on their toes.

Noel’s school was K-8, and his mother felt he was too young to be boarded out for high school, so she made him repeat the eighth grade.

During WWII, the Memphis Belle, a B-17 heavy bomber, flew into Hill Air Force Base. Noel got to sit in the pilot’s seat. It was a big day for him and sparked his love of flying, which continued throughout his life.

Noel grew up as a cowboy. “I was a real cowboy. I could ride anything with hair on it. I wasn’t that good in school, and my mind was always outside on a ranch.” 

He lived on a ranch and worked hard with his siblings. Through ranch life, he learned that hard work could help you achieve your goals. Cowboy life is demanding and often unforgiving.  During the summer, he herded cattle; in the winter, when there were no cattle to feed, he worked on the railroad as a section hand welding railroad joints.

From 1951-1955, Noel served in the U.S. Navy. He wasn’t drafted but did not want to fight in the mud. He was assigned to the sail locker, where he fabricated boat covers and tarps. His designated battle station role was a gunner. He completed active-duty service aboard the aircraft carriers Valley Forge and Franklin D Roosevelt, as well as the destroyer Rowan. He was honorably discharged and transferred to the U.S. Naval Reserve in September 1955.

Noel and Virginia “Gin” (Noel’s nickname for her) Royal met in Sunday School when he was 23 and she was 17. He was a handsome sailor and a real cowboy, and she was enamored from the beginning. After meeting again at a mutual dance, Noel asked if he could take her home. He took her home a few times before they made it official. The couple dated for almost a year when Noel shyly asked her, “What would you say if I asked you to marry me?”

On January 19, 1957, at 3 a.m., Noel married his sweetheart, Gin, in Las Vegas, NV. His mother was thrilled. Virginia’s mother was upset that she eloped and did not wear a proper wedding dress. 

Noel and Virginia loved and raised eight children in their 68-year marriage: Michael (Hillary) Nelson; Marc (Wendy) Nelson; Lisa (Jim) Abel, Roscoe (Judy) Nelson; Kristi Hampton (Larry Quisenberry); James Nelson (Larinda Wood); Linda (Matt) Higginbotham; and Nicole (Marcus) Asay. They have 30 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (soon to be 21). In 1964, they were sealed for eternity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Los Angeles Temple, along with their first four children.

Noel cherished his family and worked hard for his wife. He instilled a love of travel in his children, taking them on trips to the Colorado River, Glamis Sand Dunes, and road trips across the United States. The younger kids fondly remember RV trips along the California and Oregon coasts to see the Redwoods and beaches. The family treasures many great memories with him. Among these memories are those with the Nelson/McDonald family members—aunts, uncles, and cousins—and the close friends with whom we shared those experiences. 

Noel was a visionary leader with an uncanny ability to look at a mountainside and know exactly where a house pad and road should go—often before the engineers had even begun planning. 

He founded R.N. Nelson Earth Movers and worked on several notable projects around North San Diego County: he owned and operated the first D836A bulldozer in North San Diego County; played a major role in the original house pads at the Lawrence Welk trailer court; developed the Rimrock project (also at Lawrence Welk) with Al Steinbeck and the Lawrence Welk team; and, together with his younger brother, Milo Nelson, graded the original Tramway at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This list is by no means comprehensive—Noel worked on many other projects that continue to benefit his community and North San Diego County. 

Noel had a conversation with his daughter, Kristi, very close to the end of his life. They spoke about work and working hard. She said to him, “I bet you miss the smell of DG.” He smiled, with his eyes closed, and said, “I sure do…I’ve had my hands in the dirt since I was a kid.”

Noel had an array of talents. He was a gifted artist who lovingly painted scenes from his life, capturing the essence of ranching and cowboy adventures. His craftsmanship showed in the beautiful, solid wood furniture he built with care. He loved music—often singing or playing guitar and harmonica, the latter always tucked in his shirt pocket, ready to play whenever the moment felt right. Though his teenagers sometimes rolled their eyes, the family treasures these memories.

Noel continued his passion for flying and aircraft. He obtained his pilot’s license and purchased a De Havilland Beaver. His children recall many thrilling flights seated beside him. 

Noel was tough as nails and survived many trials in his life. In the last 15 years, he endured several serious illnesses, including kidney cancer, a brain bleed, an infected heart valve, and multiple heart attacks. He laughingly joked that his cow valve had made him a “literal cowboy.” He gave the family quite a few scares, but he bounced back so many times, they began to think the man must be immortal! 

Noel always had some rough edges, but you will never meet a more loving man. He loved his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He testified of them regularly, and of his belief in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of repentance. With every visit, the family would notice his open scriptures on the table next to his chair. He was self-reflective and did everything possible to rectify his mistakes and be worthy of returning to his Heavenly Father. We look forward to our reunion with him. He had faith and taught his family that if you are willing to do everything that you can do, then the Lord will make up the rest. 

“…the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say…This is where the cowboy rides away.”

– George Strait