Craig Kent Nelson

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Craig Kent Nelson, a man of boundless adventure, humor, and hard work. Born May 6, 1967, to Byron Kent Nelson and Mary Lynnette Slaughter in Salt Lake City, Utah. Though a life cut short, his was a life spent fulfilling dreams in the now, touching lives at every turn.

Craig passed away Saturday July 18, 2026, doing what he loved most, atop American Fork Twin Peaks in Snowbird, Utah, which ironically, was Craig’s self-proclaimed “Happy Place”, spending the last 50+ years hiking and skiing the resort.

He was a relentless world traveler, always investigating the next trip. He participated in many hiking expeditions summiting Mount Aconcagua, Mount Rainier, Mount Whitney, Grand Teton, Mount Blanc Circuit, and Mount Everest’s base camp just to mention a few. He was driven by his endless thirst for adventure and pursued these and many other such activities non-stop to the end.

Craig was also a very skilled and hardworking person. He participated in and won the Utah State VICA competition in plumbing and placed 3rd in Nationals all while completing his senior year in high school. He then went on and fulfilled a 40-year career in the plumbing and pipe-fitting trade and experienced the pleasures of retiring.

Having spent the better half of his career on the University of Utah account, he was especially proud when his daughter was recently employed by the university. He was also a 25 year season ticket holder of Utah Football which he greatly enjoyed.

He had a lifelong passion for rock and roll music and was an avid reader, reading on average a novel every two or three weeks for past 20+ years. (that is a lot of books!)

Craig’s legacy of adventure, humor, and hard work will most certainly be carried forward by his beautiful daughter Malynn, stepson Christian, and those of us that had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

He was preceded in death by his father Byron, stepmother Rose, brother Scott, brother-in-law Ron, and nephew Chris. Survived by his loving daughter Malynn, stepson Christian, mother Lynnette, twin brother Mark (Cheri), sisters Carrie, Stacey, Sarah (Eric), and Jessie (Jeremy), former wife Judy, and former wife Jamie. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

A memorial celebrating Craig’s life will be on Friday, August 7th, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East in Salt Lake City, Utah.