August 30, 1945 — December 10, 2016
David Bruce Nell, 71 years old, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on Dec. 10, 2016. He was born in Manti, Utah, on Aug. 30, 1945, to Arthur H. Nell and Lorna Voorhees Nell.
Bruce was raised in Manti, Utah. He graduated from Manti High School in 1963 and attended Snow College. Bruce married the love of his life, Karen Fugate Nell, on June 12, 1971, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Bruce was a successful owner and businessman of Nell’s Motor in Manti, Utah, from 1971-2006. They moved to Washington, Utah, where Bruce worked for Interstate Tire Distributors from 2006-2013.
He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren but most of all his best friend, his wife Karen. Early in his marriage, he loved spending time at the lake with his blue Nordic boat and his family. He loved to waterski. When he was not on the lake he would take to the hills to hunt arrowheads. Bruce/ Macgyver could fix anything. He was a talented mechanic. Bruce was known throughout his neighborhood as the guy who can fix it and would help anyone. He loved people and the outdoors. He passed his love of boating and the outdoors to his family. In his recent years, Bruce enjoyed lapidary and silversmith work where his pieces are displayed and sold in multiple Utah galleries.
Bruce was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. He sought various treatments and had excellent caregivers. The family wants to acknowledge all the caregivers including Encompass Home Health and Hospice. After fighting a six year battle he now has peace.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Karen Fugate Nell, Washington, Utah. His children; Natali (Jake) Schoppe, Panguitch, Utah, Dustin (Jana) Nell, Saratoga Springs, Utah, Shana Nell, Salt Lake City, Utah; his grandchildren, Jonah and Porter Schoppe, Austen and Payten Nell, Isaac Walk.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Art and Lorna Nell, and his brother, Glade Nell.
Funeral services
- A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at Spilsbury Mortuary located at 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.
- Visitation will start at 10:30 a.m. with services following at noon.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. Friends and family are invited to sign Bruce’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.