1956 ~ 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday Aug 16, 2025: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Saturday Aug 16, 2025: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Joel Reed Nelson, 68, passed away on July 28, 2025, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute after a sudden and devastating late-stage cancer diagnosis just weeks earlier.
He was born on September 25, 1956, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Marjorie Yeates and Reed Stender Nelson. He graduated from the University of Utah and later earned an MBA from Lake Superior State University while working in northern Michigan.
In 1984, Joel married Sue Blomquist, and for 41 years they shared a partnership rooted in fierce love, devotion, and adventure. Quiet and reflective, he was the perfect balance to Sue’s vibrant and expressive nature. He was always up for her next adventure and returned to their conversations with insight and care. In the final years of their marriage, he made it a personal mission to deepen his kindness, and he did so with quiet, powerful intention.
Joel worked as a professional landman for Shell Oil and later as the Assistant Director of Real Estate and Commercial Services for the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. He loved his job at the airport. When his children heard he wouldn’t get the chance to retire, they were heartbroken—until they remembered that if you asked him what he’d want to do in retirement, he’d say, “Work at the airport.” He was respected in the business community and deeply valued for his integrity, steadiness, and the relationships he built over decades.
Joel was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and found deep joy in Christ’s atonement as well as the process of learning, repenting, and growing closer to his Savior. He valued humility and had the courage to admit when he was wrong. At one time, “It’s the principle of the matter” was a phrase he used often with his children until he came to see that sometimes, being right mattered less than being loving. In letting go of that idea, he made space for even more unconditional love to flourish in his life and home.
For more than a decade, Brother J Dawg served as a Scoutmaster, earning the Silver Beaver Award for his unwavering dedication. His motto, “There’s no bad weather, only bad equipment,” embodied the way he showed up in life: prepared, dependable, and ready for the next challenge, so much so that he was often found organizing his gear for the next campout as soon as the last one was unpacked and perfectly put away.
Joel adored his children and treasured the partners they brought into the family. His six grandchildren were the joy of his life.
He had a lifelong love of the outdoors, drawn to the rawness of the land, pulled by the sounds and senses of lakes and oceans, the majestic red rock of Southern Utah, and the beauty of our mountains and forests. Joel had an affinity for country music, especially George Strait and Alan Jackson, not just for their songs but for the way they loved their wives and lived their values. Joel curated Spotify playlists with care, creating a soundtrack that matched the rhythms of his days.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sue; children, Mary Bevan (Spencer), Julie Webb (Scott), John Nelson (Kirsten), and Emily Holmstead (Eric) and his grandchildren, Rose, James, Jack, Penny, Fern, and Lars. He is also survived by his siblings, Ron Nelson (Margaret), Deborah Nelson, and Claudia Watson (Brent).
Joel lived his life to the absolute fullest—quietly, faithfully, and with a beautiful heart.
A celebration of Joel’s life will be held on August 15th and 16th:
A gathering of family, friends, and coworkers will take place on Friday August 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the home of Carol and Steve Knight, located at 3349 Aura Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah. This informal evening will serve in lieu of a traditional viewing.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah, preceded by an opportunity for those who would like to greet Joel’s family from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.
All who wish to attend are warmly welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Uplift Community Alliance by clicking on the blue tab above that says "In Lieu of Flowers" or following this link: https://ulcautah.org/
To view a recording of Joel's Celebration of Life, please click on the blue tab above that says "Watch Services".
Joel was a special man and I really enjoyed working with him during my last few years at the airport. I loved his smile, his enthusiasm and his thirst for knowledge.
His immense love for his family was one of the first things I understood about Joel and it endeared me to him.
Joel was one of a kind and he made this world a better place.
May you find comfort in the happy memories you shared.
John,
Even though I didn't know your father, I know he meant so much to you. Our prayers are with you and hope you find peace in the grief.
Joel will indeed be greatly missed. He was extremely caring and was a friend to all. We appreciated his generosity and ways to find answers to any problem. Sue and Joel became a strong team and example of love and patience for all of us. Our love to the family and deepest condolences. Susie & Barry
Sue, so sorry for your loss Joel is an amazing human being. Deepest condolences💛💛💛
I am grateful to have known Joel as a co-worker and as a friend. His professionalism, skills, and commitment to his work, as well as his ready smile, upbeat attitude, and genuine kindness, were infectious and added so much to a great work group.
Joel’s love for his family was boundless. I can’t count the number of conversations we had about what his family was doing and how proud he was of everyone. My sincere condolences to Sue and the family.
Joel was truly a light to all who knew him.
Joel was an import member of his local Chapter 38. To honor him and his family we have shared this message with our membership.....
IRWA Chapter 38 Members,
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our long-time friend and colleague, Joel Nelson. Joel has been a valued member of our Beehive Chapter since February 2003, generously sharing his time and talents in many ways — including organizing our annual airport tours. His dedication, good humor, and kindness have touched so many of us, and he will be sorely missed.
Joel’s contributions to our chapter and the right-of-way community will not be forgotten, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Deepest Regards,
IRWA Chapter 38 Board
https://www.irwachapter38.org/single-post/joel-reed-nelson-1956-2025?utm_campaign=f91c8753-8fd4-4bc0-811b-88f4bc1fecdd&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=9ec3a7e4-0056-49a6-b02d-638861a10efc
Dearest Sue and family and Joel’s Salt Lake City Airport family-you have my heartfelt condolences and prayers. Joel was a very special man and friend. I was so looking forward to seeing Joel one last time before my retirement at this years WRAPm conference. He was always gracious in accepting my phone calls and e-mails. He made himself available to answer airport questions and share his knowledge whether it be telling me about the IRWA organization over 20 years ago or sharing information on leases, appraisals, lease management software programs or industry conferences. I enjoyed speaking to him about his work with the Boy Scouts. I could tell he dearly loved the time he spent with them. I will miss him greatly as will the other airport property staff who had the honor of spending time with him.
On behalf of the Corroon family, we extend our condolences. We appreciated Joel's professionalism and positive attitude when working with him on real estate matters. We know he will be missed by many.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful he lived such rich, full life with a loving family.
The beautiful services of celebrating Joel, left us all, I’m sure, touched by such a sweetness and love for all of you-no one wanted to leave! Thinking on that feeling brought to remembrance of Lehi and the tree of life and fruit sweeter than any other. Thinking of many things, I know Barry will always, and myself appreciate the time Joel gave us, a special tour of the new airport! He was so kind to do this. He was thorough on every description and area. As we were coming to the end of the tour and not quite to the end of the terminal, Joel with the biggest smile asked if we wanted to go to the end. I responded, YES, let go all the way-then marched on. It was most generous and kind action of this BUSY man. We love Joel and I just know, it won’t be long until you have him in your life again. You are ALL admired and loved. 🥰
Joel got us our wedding rings. He was very patient with us and followed my request to put the diamond out of my grandmother’s wedding ring in my setting. Whenever we look at our wedding rings we will remember Joel with fondness and the great man that he is.
One time, when I was 11, my family was in Salt Lake City visiting my Grandpa and Grandma Nelson. During that visit I found, to me, what was the perfect baseball glove at a local department store. At this time a baseball glove was the one thing I wanted more than anything in the world, and when I asked if I could get it, I was told no. After we got back to my Grandparent's house, I found a place to be alone and started to cry. My Uncle Joel heard me crying and asked me why I was so upset. After I told him about the glove without hesitation, he told me to get in his car, and he drove back to the store and bought me that glove. That glove is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received, and I still have it today. I have played more games than I can count with that glove over the years. I never won a championship with it, but to me, it represents so much more. To me it represents generosity, friendship, kindness, compassion and love. These are attributes that describe my uncle. These are also the attributes of the Savior, Jesus Christ. My uncle was a true disciple of Jesus Christ and this one, small, simple act of charity, towards me, when I was a little boy, has stayed with me all these years, and will stay with me always. I love you Uncle Joel. Thank you for making a young boy's simple wish come true because you cared. I will never forget it and I will never forget you.
Beautiful memories shared with Joel in northern Michigan.
Always happy, willing and big smiles.
A wonderful friend 🧡
I am so saddened with the loss of my brother Joel. It was such a shock! I am so glad to have talked to him about a month before not knowing it would be the last time I would speak to him on this earth. He will be missed by all!
I love him and treasure our time together growing up. I was so happy to have a brother and remember watching him in the crib. I remember the times we had a squirt gun fight in the kitchen with my mom looking on and not interrupting us. Amazing! I remember the all the good times we went fishing especially with Uncle Fred. Those were treasured times!
My prayers are with those who he left behind - Sue, Mary, Julie, John, and Emily and their spouse and children. Love to all!