Charles Kofoed Nelson

Charles (Charlie) Kofoed Nelson passed away on November 8, 2021 at the age of 68 at home with his family. Charlie was born on December 20, 1952 to LaRue Henrie and Leon Kofoed Nelson in Salt Lake City, Utah. Charlie married Caren Thalman on August 21, 1975 in the Logan, Utah Temple. He served two LDS missions; first when he was 19 in Chile, South America, and later with his wife, Caren in McAllen, Texas.

Charlie was a natural-born teacher and life-long learner. If you were there to learn, he was there to teach; and if you were there to teach, he was there to learn. Charlie earned his Bachelor's Degree in Spanish, Master's in Secondary Education and Doctorate in Educational Administration while raising and supporting his family. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal and educational director at too many places to list. His last call to teach was at Uintah School District in Vernal, Utah as the superintendent. Charlie wrote, "Leaders are nothing more than gifted, master educators who have the inclination to leave a larger footprint." When he wrote this, he was probably talking about others and had no idea he was describing himself. Charlie was a master leader.

Charlie was an avid writer and often wrote letters to his wife, children and many others. He was always there when you needed someone to help work through a problem with. He practiced what he preached. You felt heard, understood and he always had the logical help you wanted. Now seems like the perfect opportunity to share the life lessons he taught to all of us and so many others, many of them in his own words:

Tell them what you're going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you told them.
If you keep telling yourself negative things about yourself, eventually, you'll believe them.
If you drop the level of what you believe to reflect actual behavior, where's the motivation to improve?
You need to be the one who calmly, respectfully talks to the person when everybody else is yelling at and berating them.
The most valuable thing you'll ever do is be honest with yourself.
Do unto others as they would have done unto them.
Always run on the pavement, not the concrete. It's easier on your knees.
Self-evaluation is the only evaluation that is valid.
What do you want? What are you doing? Is what you're doing going to get you what you want?
Be honest every time.
Remember to think about relationships and how they need to be remade from time to time.
Everyone deserves to be listened to empathetically, thoughtfully, to have their ideas and feelings considered seriously.
All people can learn. It is an error to assume that everyone learns in the same way or at the same rate.
Powerful people accept responsibility for their actions, realizing that control over self is all we can do.
The quality of our relationships determines our effectiveness.
If our goal is to become powerful, we will not succeed. If our goal is to serve others, we become powerful in that service. Empowerment is a choice each person makes for themselves.
We have no right to hope for that which we have not planned, prepared, and worked for. What goes around, comes around.
Rub some dirt on it and remember the pain will stop when it quits hurting.

And so many more...

Charlie was the best man to have on your side. He would go to bat for you every time. He lived his life full of vigor. Playing sports, running marathons and teaching his kids how to work hard. His favorite thing to do was play catch and talk. "Get your mitt" was something he said a lot.

Charlie loved his wife so much. He said he would have done some of their lives together over so he could have done them right. Charlie was whooped over Caren. Caren was his best friend.

Charlie's parents have already celebrated his return to heaven. His 5 kids - Lindsay (Cade) Brenchley, Jesse Nelson, Eliza (Jeremey) LeBeau, Sam Nelson, Jenny (Jacob) Morgan, 3 brothers, 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild will miss him so much.

Charlie's celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 12:00 PM.
Davis 1st Ward Chapel
3990 South 1500 East
Vernal, Utah 84078

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in Charlie's name.

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