Fredrick Adams Neilson

1956 ~ 2018 Fredrick Adams Neilson Jr., born June 10, 1956, left this world for a better one early morning Tuesday April 17,2018. He was preceded in death by his mother, Delsa Kirby Neilson, and we can be sure their reunion was beautiful after 11 years apart. He is survived by his 5 Children, and 5 extraordinary grandchildren that were his greatest pride. Also survived by his Father Frederick Adams Neilson Sr., Sister Mary Ann Neilson Dorman, and brothers Thomas G. Tromley, Nathan K Neilson and Nicholas Neilson and their families.
Rick was born and lived out the better portion of his life in Southern Utah. As a boy he grew up on flood street in St. George and loved it. His youthful escapades included hours of playing on the Dixie red hill and in the vacant lot across the street, kick the can with neighborhood friends, stealing lily pads from the temple pond, washing bottles with brother Tom at Boot Cox's dairy, the town roller rink, Grandpa Neilson's farm, the mulberry tree house and all the memories he shared with you as you read this that we don't know about.
After graduating from Dixie High School, Rick served a mission for the LDS church to Austria-Vienna. mission and fell in love with the country. It was here he met one of his lifelong friends Tom Bushell.
After returning home he met Julie Kirkham and was married in March of 1982. The couple lived in Davis county Utah and Monterey California before they settled back home in Washington Utah. While in Monterey Rick attended the Defense Language Institute learning Arabic and later served short tours Egypt and Alaska to serve his country.
While raising his family Rick found a significant passion while he served for the LDS church as Scout Master. If you knew him during this period of his life you saw him in some of his greatest moments at camps, activities, and Courts of Honor. Those whom he served and served with have fond memories of his influence on the program and their lives.
Later in his life Rick found another great personal passion while working with the Days of '47 to celebrate and reinstitute the pioneer heritage of the state of Utah. This is his great gift to the community.
When he wasn't busy with his work or planning the 24th Dad was hunting down his grandchildren. He loved giving little gifts and surprises as often as possible to those who lived close by him. These 'babies', as he referred to them, lived both near and far gave him strength to move past several heath issues and face what would have defeated others more easily. Rick believed in and created magic regularly for his grandchildren.
He was a lover of many things including but not limited to hunting, fishing, big events, parties, movies, food, witty jokes, his family, church, good friends. In his final days he said many times that family is the most important of these. He recognized the importance of people coming together and strength in numbers.
He is gone but leaving anyone who he came in contact with a wonderful memory that will not soon be forgotten.
Funeral services will be 11am Saturday April 21, at LDS church at 82 N. Main St, Washington, UT. There will be a viewing at 9:30am prior to the funeral and Friday evening April 20 from 6:30pm - 8pm at the same address. Funeral services provide by Affordable Funerals and Cremation www.AFCfuneralhome.com .