Rey Palmer Nelson

Rey Palmer Nelson, 104, was born July 7, 1921, in Tucson, Arizona, and passed away peacefully on February 24, in his home in Mesa, with his family. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Aurelia Nelson of 72 years, his son, Rey Nelson Jr., parents, Hyrum Vance Nelson and Chloe Amelia Palmer Nelson, 11 brothers and sisters, a son in law, and a grandson J.J. Rey is survived by his sons, Jim (Carolynne) and Jeff (Liesa), and his daughter Nadine Crandall (Clifford), Judith Michael (Gary, deceased), and one brother Donovan Nelson, at last count 220 family members, including children, grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Rey loved any outdoor activities including sports, hunting, and fishing.

He loved spending time at their family cabin in Greer in the summer with his sweetheart sitting on the porch feeding the hummingbirds, watching the squirrels and other wild game such as deer, rabbits, birds of all kinds including blue jays, robins, finches, ravens, crows and more that would visit their property, and at night, the occasional bear and raccoons rummaging for scraps on the porch. He loved driving his Rhino on every road, small path or one he would create through and across the forest in Greer. Mostly, he loved his family and family reunions, and he loved his Heavenly Father and the Savior and was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Desert Ridge Ward on South Signal Butte in Mesa.  The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM prior to the service at the Desert Ridge Ward. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held following the services at 2:00 PM in the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.