Terrie Leonard

Terrie Linea Telford returned home to her Heavenly Father on February 3, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and kindness that will never be forgotten. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Richard and Linea Leonard, and brother, Dennis. She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Jim, who was the love of her life and eternal companion. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Markham.

Together, Terrie and Jim built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and service. Their greatest joy was being side-by-side in all things, and one of the highlights of their life was serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the single young adults. Their time in Denmark was a cherished season of their journey together, strengthening their testimony and love for the gospel as they served the people with all their hearts.

Terrie was a loving and dedicated mother to her five children: Shawn, Brian, Tracie, Michael, and Brooke. She poured her heart into raising them, always leading with patience, laughter, and an unwavering love. As a grandmother to 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, she had a special way of making each one feel like they were her absolute favorite. The grandkids eagerly looked forward to sleepovers at Grandma’s house, where they could play in the magical downstairs playroom, share stories, and feel the warmth of her unconditional love. She had a unique ability to make every person feel special, seen, and deeply cherished.

Terrie had a heart of gold and a gift for bringing joy to others. She had a contagious smile and a light that brightened every room she entered. Making people happy was second nature to her, and she always went out of her way to make others feel welcome and like they belonged. Whether through a kind word, a warm embrace, or a simple act of service, she left people better than she found them.

Her testimony of Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. She had an unshakable faith and a true disciple’s heart, serving in every calling she was given with love and devotion. She found great joy in teaching, whether in the classroom at Centerville Elementary (nearly 20 years) or at church (her whole lifetime), and nothing made her happier than seeing the excitement in a child's eyes when they learned something new. She was a teacher in every sense of the word—nurturing, patient, and endlessly compassionate. 

Terrie’s legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed, but her heart and her love will forever be cherished by all who were blessed to know her.

A service to celebrate Terrie’s beautiful life will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Bountiful Hills LDS Chapel, 1190 E. Bountiful Hills Drive, Bountiful, Utah, 84010. A viewing will be held from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the church, where the funeral will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Terrie Linea Telford, please visit our flower store.

Jay Nelson

Jay Nelson, a cherished Dad and Grandpa from West Valley City, Utah passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20th, 2025, at the age of 78. Dad faced his health challenges head-on, with a positive attitude and grit until the very end.

Jay was born on November 24, 1946, in Logan Utah to Dallas Jay Nelson, Sr. and Opal Nelson and later moved to Salt Lake and Kearns where he attended and graduated from Granger High School. Shortly after graduating, dad honorably volunteered to serve our country in the Marine Corps attending boot camp at Camp Pendelton and was stationed and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967 during the war. Jay was a proud Veteran and member of the Marines. He displayed this appreciation for all to see on his hats, shirts, and stickers on both his house and truck. Following his service, Jay worked for Tooele Army Depot and later the United States Postal Service where he spent the majority of his career and later retired.

Jay married the love of his life, Joanne, later divorced, and they had two children. Jay is survived by his two children, Stephenie Gordon (Tom) and Jerred Nelson (Shanon) and five grandchildren, Chelsea Gordon, Chance Gordon, Dallan Nelson, Brooklynne Nelson and Davis Nelson. Jay is preceded in death by his parents, Dallas Jay, Sr. & Opal, Joanne, and his brother Robert “Bob” Maughan.

“Jay Bird’s” greatest joy was spending time with his family and countless friends. Jay is a great example of what a dad should be. Honorable, fun, supportive, hardworking and loving. He had a very close group of friends, one that is rare these days (The Delton Bowling Lanes group). This tight-knit group spent a lot of time together over the past 60+ years, whether it be joking with one another, camping, fishing, hunting, golfing, and playing softball. As Dad got older, these same friends stayed close and were known to stop by for visits, to drive Dad to doctor’s appointments, work on his house and provide many other acts of true friendship. To know him is to love him!

Dad, we will miss you greatly and always remember and cherish our time together. Thinking of you will continue to bring a smile to our faces. May you rest in peace surrounded by your loved ones, free from the discomfort that you’ve been living with for quite some time. Until we see each other again.

Love you Dad and Grandpa!