Nels Caywood

Nels Sharp Caywood, beloved husband, father, grandfather (Campah and Papa Nels), great-grandfather, brother, nephew, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. His last moments were spent at home, where his battle with depression finally ended.

Born October 29, 1953, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Roger Milton Caywood Sr. and Mary Jeanne Sharp Caywood.  Married Linda Ilott June 27, 2015, in Copperton, Utah.

Nels loved to hang with his Grandpa Tug, whether it was digging potatoes in the garden or hiking the hills above old Draper.  When he lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico, he and his buddy, Dana, would take off in search of adventures in the countryside.  The two of them would sometimes find unlit sticks of dynamite.  They would stick them in rocks, light them, run like hell and wait for the results, often with a disappointing poof but sometimes with a resounding “Boom!”

He worked at Kennecott Copper in the Smelter and after retirement he worked in Commercial Accounts at Auto Zone.  Nels loved the outdoors - fishing, camping, playing horseshoes, and golfing.  He loved Nascar (recording it every week), could quote almost all the lines from NCIS episodes, could get fired up about politics.  He was exceptional at math, a jack of all trades, master of none.  He was very good at fixing things like cars and solving problems.  He loved to pass on his knowledge of automobiles to his grandson, sons-in-law and nephews or anyone who wanted to share his what he knew.

He met many people in AA and remained good friends with several.  His son-in-law, Lloyd was instrumental in getting Nels into AA and was his constant support.

Then he met Linda, the love of his life on a dating website.  After they met in person for the first time, they were inseparable.

Nels always said to his wife: “If someone wants to talk to me, why can’t they pick up the damn phone and call me?  Don’t they know I can’t see?”  His diminishing vision kept him from doing so many of the things he loved.  Life can be fleeting.  You may think you have time to “do it tomorrow,” but sometimes the tomorrow you think will be there is not the way you expect it to be.  Live your life so there will be no regrets.  Tell the ones you love that you do love them.  Give hugs often.  Not just a little hand tap to the back, but a true, heartfelt squeeze.

If you know someone who is struggling with addiction or depression or other afflictions, let them know you are there, that your love doesn’t change when they struggle with illness.  Check in with them often, even if it is a short conversation.  Help ease their loneliness and feelings of isolation.

Nels believed in a higher power.  We are comforted with the thought that one day, we will be reunited and be whole.  We pray that God swept you into the warmth of his arms and welcomed you into a place where your pain, sadness, fear, regret, guilt and all those dark feelings disappeared as you were basked in God's love and light, shining brightly through your whole body and soul, a true happiness as you went home.

We grieve that you aren’t here loving with us.  We smile adoringly with the memories of the man you were in life, one who played with the whimsy of a child, the charming and thoughtful person that made you our love, our light.

Nels is survived by his wife and soulmate, Linda.  His daughters Jennifer Rutherford (Lloyd) and Jackie Caywood, and Linda’s children, whom he loved very much Dustin Wolters (Tristen), Aaron Ilott (Grace), Megan Humiston (LeRoy), Jenny Wolters Church (Skylar), step-mother Ellen Caywood, brothers Tony (Nicki) and Roger Jr. (Butch), sisters Linnae Jolley (Paul) and Artna Banman (Bernie, deceased) grandchildren Ashlee Berry (Christopher), Justin (Aubrey), Abigail, Adison and Jane Rutherford, Lillian Croft, Mackenzie and Jace Wolters, Aria and Ryker Humiston, Jack, Sawyer and Finn Church, great grandchildren James, Emma and Charlotte Berry, special aunts Vicki Ayers and Lynda Paulk (Jess), numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

The family would also like to thank the first responders of Sandy who treated the family with amazing respect, compassion, and kindness.  Their tears were evidence of the tremendous amount of caring and reverence each one held.  We would also like to thank Salt Lake Police and the Campbell County Police for their thoughtfulness when notifying family members.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 from 6-8 pm at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E Bengal Blvd (7600 South), Salt Lake City.  Zoom link: https://www.facebook.com/CannonMortuary