Nelson Elliott Wright

Nelson Elliott Wright passed away peacefully on March 20, 2023, next to his sweetheart of 65 years, Nancy Frasier. He had just turned 87 years old. Nelson was born in Ogden, Utah, on March 9, 1936 to Elliott Scoville Wright and Grace Nelson.

Nelson lived an amazing life filled with service, adventure, humor, and love. From a very young age, he was recognized for his academic achievements and remarkable memory. These abilities not only helped him rapidly advance in his academics and profession, but there was hardly a name, face, fact, or memory that Nelson couldn’t recall almost instantly. It was truly a gift, and in only a moment’s notice, we’ve realized just how much we’ll miss this, while we linger longer without him.

Nelson cherished his childhood in Ogden, spending time at his father’s clothing store, developing his love of music at his mother’s knee, and of course, letting the dogs in to the Bishop’s chicken coop. After graduating from Ogden High School, Nelson attended Weber State Junior College, where he served as the Student Body President and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He worked as a chemist at General Mills before deciding to continue his education at The University of Utah (Go Utes!) where, after just one year, he was accepted to The University of Utah School of Medicine, where he graduated with honors. Following Med School, and just two years into his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Washington, the Berlin Crisis occurred and Nelson was called to serve as a physician in the United States Air Force at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base. Nelson was extremely patriotic and proud to have served for our country. After his discharge, he received additional training in Cardiology while building his successful medical practice in Holladay, Utah, where he spent the rest of his professional years, taking great pride in his patient’s care.

Ask anyone – Nelson Wright loved the medical profession. But he also loved the Utes, the Yankees, and the Utah Jazz. He loved researching anything, collecting everything, hanging with his “Ol’ Ogden Gang of Friends”, and sharing his zany anecdotes/text messages. He was the dad who went to Evanston for fireworks, coaxed his kids to pull his hair or walk on his back, took them to rock concerts (and got himself invited backstage!), would swim for hours in the pool with his posterity, and could play a mean game of Cribbage. Nelson loved being with Nancy, going to movies and working in their beautiful yard or taking long, scenic drives. He also loved listening to any and all music, watching way too many sports and news stations, and reading far into the night.

He loved adventure and traveling with Nancy, their kids and grandkids, and many of their favorite friends, to places near and far. There is hardly a part of the world they haven’t discovered and their home is filled with their many treasures. Some favorite family memories include scuba diving in St. Thomas, discovering America in the motorhome, including a month-long trip from the West to the East for the ’76 Bicentennial (and rocking to these things called “8-tracks”), sharing sacred moments in almost every Church History spot, BSA Jamborees, snowmobiling through the wide-open fields of Heber Valley, skiing at The Bird, and of course, spending so much family-time together, golfing, skiing (with Schwarzenegger!), playing Mexican Train, and biking, at their home away from home in Sun Valley.

Nelson was a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was a sure thing and he loved to share it often through word, by example, and lengthy prayers (ahem and amen!). As an accomplished pianist and vocalist, Nelson truly relished serving where music was the focus, including the choir, roadshows, and Christmas duets with his kids. While he and Nancy were living in Germany, Nelson served in the Branch Presidency and helped build the first chapel in Kaiserslautern. He also served on the High Council, in the Bishopric, and completed a four-year Stake Mission.

While Nelson loved many things, what he treasured most was his family. While attending Weber State, Nelson met Nancy Lee Frasier and they were married on August 29, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have spent their life together building a family, a home, and a legacy of love. Nelson and Nancy are the parents of three children: Alisyn Marie (Curtis) Bevan, Gregory Lee (Kirsten) Wright, and Christian Frasier (Camilla) Wright. They are grandparents to 8 grandchildren, and “The Amazing Greats” to 10 great-grandchildren.

Nelson is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Clair Ann (Arlan) Rasmussen, and brother, Dennis (Carolyn) Wright.

In celebration of Nelson’s life, services will be held on Tuesday, March 28th at 1:00 PM in the Chapel at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, located at 3401 So. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. The dedication of the grave will immediately follow the service, at the Rosemont Section of the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy would love for you to Pay it Forward with a donation to the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or another charity of your choice.