Events
Funeral Service
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14868 Juniper Crest Rd, Herriman, UT 84096Monday Apr 28, 2025 11:00 AM
Viewing
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14868 Juniper Crest Rd, Herriman, UT 84096Monday Apr 28, 2025 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Viewing
Larkin Mortuary Riverton, 3688 W 12600 S, Riverton, UT 84065Sunday Apr 27, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Listen to Obituary
Nyles Lee Christensen, age 71, of Herriman, Utah, passed away on April 14, 2025, surrounded by family.
Nyles was born on April 30, 1953, in Salina, Utah, to Lee and Maza Christensen. He graduated from Carbon High School in 1971, then went on to attend and graduate from both the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Utah. Nyles served in the Navy from 1975 to 1998 and retired as a captain. During his active service, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Sam Houston submarine. He later worked as a mechanical engineer for Chevron for 34 years, a career that took him from Salt Lake City to California, and eventually to Angola, Africa, where he lived and worked for five years before retiring.
Nyles served faithfully in various church callings, including as a bishop and temple ordinance worker for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After retiring, he enjoyed substitute teaching and was active in a weekly boxing class. He loved golfing, working around the house or in the yard, and taking walks. His greatest joy was his family—especially spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was known for giving compliments and joking with his family, often about how much he helped with the cooking. You could often find him teaching the "grandpa twirl" or asking for a back scratch while watching the news. His relationships with his family and the many friends he made throughout his life were of the utmost importance to him.
Nyles is survived by his wife, Cindy Harley Christensen; his children, Angela (Brett) Campbell, Eric (McKenna), and Michael (Chelsey); his brother, Jim (Pam); and his eight grandchildren: Emma, Addison, and Dallas Campbell; Sadie, Andrew, and Ella Christensen; Carly and Audrey Christensen. He is also survived by many loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maza and Lee Christensen.
His family would like to give a special thank-you to his BrightStar caregivers, The Peaks Memory Care staff, and his Bristol Hospice team for their extraordinary care and support during the final years of his life.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 28 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14868 Juniper Crest Rd, Herriman, UT 84096. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:30 am - 10:45 am at the same location. An evening viewing will take place the night prior at Larkin Mortuary Riverton, 3688 W 12600 S, Riverton, UT 84065, on Sunday, April 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association in Nyles’ memory.
Video
Guestbook/Condolences
A good man. My boss for 20 years.
It is truly unfortunate that you left us so soon.
My family and I would like to thank you for the profound difference you made in both my professional and personal life. I will always carry your wise advice with me throughout my journey.
May God grant you the peaceful rest you truly deserve, Nyles Christensen.
To Cyndy and the Christensen family, please accept our deepest condolences.
Let me know if you'd like to personalize it further or adapt it for a card, speech, or message.
It was Nyles who was one of the inspirations that changed my life forever, he baptized me a member of the LDS church. Heavenly Father has called him to join him. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Another great boxer, a fighter and great man down.
Dear Cindy,
It was with a broken heart that I read of your loss of Nyles. He was a wonderful man as a young midshipman and continued to be through the many visits to Annapolis.. Please except my deepest sympathy for you and your family. Nyles will always have a special place in my heart. Love Joyce
A lot of love through this trying time ❤️
Dear Christensen Family, I worked for Nyles in Salt Lake City for several years. I throughly enjoyed working for Nyles, He was a really nice person and good at problem solving. I am so sorry for your loss.
Nyles was truly a great friend. He came to many a boxing class and showed grit, courage and a willingness to never give up. I always felt like he was on a different level with his attitude and his desire to try. I will miss him and his great sense of humor. Nyles, may you rest in peace. Your family will be in my prayers.
I have many fond memories of Nyles playing golf at our family ranch. He always had a smile and witty joke. My sincere condolences.
Cindy,
We have such fond memories of Nyles, and we're so blessed to know him. My the Lord bless you and your family at this tender time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy and family, I am sorry for your loss. I was a classmate of Nyles at the Academy and also went submarines after graduation. I am originally from Colorado (near Grand Junction) so Nyles and I shared the love of the western mountains. Our lives had other parallel paths also. I was born April 29, 1953. I also have lived in Utah (Midvale) for the past 34 years. I have lots of family in the Price and had cousins graduate from Carbon High (family name - Austin).
Sorry for your loss...Nyles was greate to work with in Angola and was a good mentor. I pray for the family and peace to be with them at this time.
Such an amazing person he was, thank you for letting me take care of him, my condolences
So sorry to learn of Nyles’ passing.
We reflect fondly of our time together in Angola.
With deepest sympathies,
Holly & Tom
Nyles was a fine individual who blessed the lives of so many throughout his exemplary life. He was so kind and admired for his brilliance and happy personality. It was my good fortune to have known such a great co-worker. We will dearly miss him greatly.
So sorry for your loss. Nyles was an awesome person to work with. Prayers to you and the family.
So sorry for your loss. Nyles was an awesome person to work with. Prayers to you and the family.
My deepest condolences to family and friends. I worked with Nyles in El Segundo for many years. He taught me many things I will never forget. Peace to family and friends in this time of mourning and grief.
I just was informed this week. Nyles was amazing at Chevron El Segundo and saved the plant from an early permanent shutdown like what is happening now there with others, as his ability to identify critical mission issues was essential at the time. I later asked him to help us at CNRL Horizon in Northern Alberta, Canada which he did with excellence, and then also at Big West Refinery in Salt Lake, where he is fondly remembered by the owner. One of the very best ever in Chevron. Nyles gave it all in Angola as well. Trained by Rickover directly. Nyles breathed water which means when you had a problem 1000 feet down on a nuclear sub you just got to it. Did an amazing job restoring ESE. Restored the high pressure hydrogen reliability. Kept that refinery going. Last one standing I bet now, thanks in a great part to Nyles. What a fantastic legacy! Nyles was a key member of the ESE “Dream Team” in 1996 - 2000. Keep it going now Nyles! You are the best of the best! Dave Reed, RGM, El Segundo Refinery 1996 to Dec 1999.