Bruce Allen Nelson Jr., 78

Dr. Bruce Allen Nelson Jr. passed away peacefully on Oc. 8, 2022, while surrounded by family members.

He was born in Great Falls on July 2, 1944, and only ever left Montana out of necessity. Bruce fashioned himself as an “old Montana cowboy” and regularly referred to Montana as a place "where a man is only as good as his word."

Over the years, he frequently enjoyed the movies of John Wayne and the writings of Louis L’Amour.

Bruce graduated from Great Falls High School in 1962 where he enjoyed a variety of extra-curricular activities that included skiing, rodeo, and dancing. He also loved to jokingly brag about being the third-string quarterback on the Bison football team.

After high school, Bruce served a mission in the Great Lakes Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He later joined the Army where he spent most of his time stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

After attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, he returned to Great Falls to sell farms and ranches throughout Montana. Later, he attended and graduated from Life West Chiropractic College in San Lorenzo, Calif., and returned to the Flathead Valley to begin his journey as a healer. Over the next 20 years, he touched the hearts and lives of countless patients.

Bruce had the uncanny ability to find a pickup basketball game wherever he traveled and loved shooting from deep.

More than anything, he loved, and was never deterred from, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those familiar with “uncle Bruce” know of his love of life and all those he encountered. If he met you once, he considered you a friend. Bruce was a man without guile, and while he wasn’t perfect, he was close enough. Bruce will be missed, but his stories, example, and memories will bless us forever.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Bruce Nelson Sr., his mother, Betty Nelson, and his sister Michelle Archer.

Bruce has passed the reins to his wife, Lana, and children, Rachel Paulson, Jennifer Sillivan, Matthew Nelson, Natalie Christofferson, Courtney Allen, William Israel, David Nelson, Matthew Israel, Ashley Kimball, Adam Nelson, Whitney Fenn, Jonathan Nelson, his 46 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His siblings, Dr. Greg Nelson, Dr. Bradley Nelson, and Noelle Lundahl continue to carry his light.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 121 Crestview Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911. You may also pay tribute to Bruce by leaving a message at jgfuneralhome.com/tributes/Bruce-Nelson.