Submit a PhotoTracy Brett Nielsen passed away on May 28, 2020 after a heroic 5-month battle with brain cancer. Tracy was born in Roosevelt, Utah on March 23, 1957, to Kenna Faye Oswald and Milton Sterling Nielsen.
After moving to North Salt Lake at the age of six, Tracy relished in the trust and freedom his parents provided to their five sons. At 10-years old he was single-handedly running the day-to-day operations of the family ice cream and sandwich shop. His entrepreneurship interests expanded to a teenage sprinkler installation service and eventually a beef jerky business.
Growing up with four brothers taught Tracy valuable teamwork and leadership skills, which were further developed on the basketball and football teams and in student government at Viewmont High School.
Tracy’s childhood and youth were filled with adventure and responsibility that prepared him for a two-year church mission in El Salvador. At one point Tracy was even imprisoned during a period of heightened civil unrest. Despite that brief hiccup, he credited his mission for teaching him the power of optimism, perseverance, and, most importantly, a love for the Savior and all of God’s children.
Before his mission, Tracy took notice of Sallee Winn at the local ice skating rink. Looking for an excuse to introduce himself to her, Tracy feigned interest in learning how to skate better so he could spend time with her. Tracy’s ploy worked and Sallee made sure to catch his eye again when he returned from El Salvador and reported on his mission. Tracy married Sallee on June 10, 1980 and enjoyed almost 40 years by her side. He would often tell his children that everything good in his life was due to his decision to marry her.
After their marriage, Tracy and Sallee moved to Reno, Nevada where they welcomed their first daughter Brooke. They then moved to Davis County, Utah, where they had their remaining children: Vanessa, Maddie, Sam, and Jack.
In 1993, while working as a software manager, Tracy was offered a new role in Phoenix, Arizona. He and Sallee accepted the offer expecting to return to Bountiful within a few years; however, Arizona winters, dear friends, Ahwatukee homelife, and happy employment at Intel Corporation stretched their short stint in the desert to 26 years and counting.
Some of Tracy’s happiest experiences were created in the slot canyons of Lake Powell, the running trails of South Mountain with his border-collie Scout, the rim to rim experience of the Grand Canyon, the backpacking trails of the Uintahs, and the white water rapids of the Green River. He found joy in sharing these experiences with his family and friends as nothing thrilled him more than teaching a kid how to water ski or seeing someone else experience the Grand Canyon for the first time.
Tracy’s true passion, however, was being a grandpa. His 14 grandchildren knew him for his pancake breakfasts, night-hikes, Lake Powell trips, pool parties, scary stories, and his determination to attend as many of his grandkids’ activities as possible.
Tracy was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and firmly believed where much is given, much is required. In his roles as young men’s leader, bishop, and stake presidency counselor, he preferred to lead from the bottom by giving the youth and others the opportunity to rise to the occasion. While serving as Sallee’s “unofficial” assistant, Tracy attended at least 20 years of Girls Camp.
After 23 rewarding years at Intel, Tracy retired so that he could pursue a greater purpose and expand his reach. He and Sallee were called as religious institute leaders at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. They quickly fell in love with their students and the community. In the midst of this endeavor, Tracy and Sallee were called to serve as mission leaders for the California Fresno Mission. Although enthused and willing, Tracy was unable to fulfill that assignment in this life, as he was diagnosed with cancer shortly after accepting the call.
Tracy is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sallee; his daughters, Brooke (Kirk) Halbison, Vanessa (Curtis) Jacobs, and Maddie (Lindsay) Leavitt; and his sons, Sam (Allison) and Jack (Julie); and 14 beloved grandchildren, Parker, Grace, Oliver, Hank, Sawyer, Eleanor, Stella, Hudson, Jordan, Evelyn, Ford, Sally, Anne, and Wyatt. Also surviving are his four brothers, Greg (Ging), Randy (Kristin), Kenton (Linda), and Kirk (Sandra).
A visitation will be held from 5-7:30 pm on Friday, June 5, 2020 at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E. Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297. For the health of all attendees, this event will adhere to current social distancing guidelines.
Funeral services will be live-streamed on Friday, June 12, 2020, at 11:00 am (MDT) from Bountiful, Utah, https://youtu.be/u783LD0ClbQ. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Glioblastoma Foundation (glioblastomafoundation.org). Burial will take place at Memorial Estates Lakeview Cemetery, 1640 E. Lakeview Drive in Bountiful.
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The Nielsen Family is always in our prayers & our thoughts are with you. May God grant you peace during this time of grieving.
Many tears have been shed over the last few months, Tracy is my most treasured friend, we became close friends from the moment his family moved next door to us in North Salt Lake. Tracy was a mentor to everyone that meet him, whatever he said and the example he set you knew you were doing the right things. We spent thousands of hours hiking, riding our bikes, mini bikes, camping, shooting each other with BB guns, and one of our greatest moments was when we set the side of the mountain on fire by pouring gas (out of a plastic milk bottle) on to model Airplanes and throwing them off the ledge of the cliff into the weeds. I don’t need to tell you what happened but Tracy Freaked out and all I could do was laugh. In our later years we both found our sweethearts, Sallee and Julie, they became very close friends overnight, the four of us would spend most of our dates at Willard Bay water skiing, munching out and just having a wonderful time. Tracy and Sallee would always take time out of their very busy schedules to visit us when they were in town. We love Tracy, Sallee and their family and we are really going to miss Tracy very much.
We send all our love to the Nielsen family at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Nielsen’s were wonderful missionaries in the New York, Syracuse Mission and blessed many people’s lives. Our hearts are saddened at this time. We love you!
What a beautiful tribute to a righteous man. Our thoughts and prayers are focused on you Sallee and your family.
We in Ithaca are so sorry for your loss. Tracy and Sallee were not in Ithaca long but we learned quickly to appreciate their deep devotion to the Lord. Our prayers are with all of you.
What a beautiful obituary for a great man. Thanks for sharing. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts. We love you! ❤️❤️❤️
Our love and prayers for comfort and peace are with you.
What a wonderful tribute! Although our encounters at Cornell were brief, I had the sense that Tracy was a deeply faith-filled man who loved his family. May God’s peace be with you and your family, Sallee.
Tracy was the first manager I had who really believed in me… and lifted me to be my best. He was a terrific example of servant leadership and commitment to the individuals on the path to excellent results. His confidence in me and his great example was one of the most formative influences to becoming leader I continue to aspire be. God speed Tracy. Thank you for sharing a small part of this life with me. cs
Tracy was a great leader and the Neilson family is one of fun, talent and wit. It is so sad to see the separation of such an amazing couple and family, even if it is only in mortality. I am crying with you.
What a wonderful journey! It is great to know and work for Tracy, the best manager I ever had, He is so caring and personable in every interaction which lifted our ability to raise up, expand, and deliver. He constantly reminded us the blessings of happy family life and always maintained a thriving environment. I am fortunate to work for Tracy. Thank you Sallee and family for sharing his time with us. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark and I were shocked and sadden in hearing of the news of Tracy’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are out to you Sallee and the rest of the family. Tracy was a great example and friend. His spiritual strenght , insight and sense of humor made him a person to always want to be around. The earth sheds tears of sadness because he is no longer here but Heaven sheds tears of happiness because he has returned with honor. We love your family Mark and Cheryl Woodland
Thank you for this beautiful homage to wonderful Pres. Nielsen. Both the Nielsens always make an eternal impact of grace in the lives of everyone blessed to know them. We pray Pres. Nielsen’s loved ones will find comfort and treasure the memories of so many wonderful years together with the knowledge a bright reunion will one day come. We’re grateful to know he’s now serving beside the Savior to whom Pres. Nielsen is certainly a beloved, trusted friend.
I cannot tell you how saddened i am by this tragic loss. Tracy and I worked together and his ability to stay calm under the toughest of situations is what i remember the most about him. I was with Tracy in India when he first became a grandfather. He was so proud and didn’t mind us poking a little fun of him “getting old”. I am going to miss you Tracy and sending my deepest condolences to you Sallee and your family.
What a fantastic tribute and biography on one of the most kind and caring and humble man I have ever met. I met Tracy when he started at Intel. He was a fantastic people manager, coach and role model. I learned so much from him both professionally and personally. He touched so many lives and was such a role model to so many. He will be greatly missed not only by his family but by so, so many other people that knew him. My deepest condolences, love, and prayers to the Nielsen family. I know it is hard not to have him there physically but he is watching down on you still protecting and guiding and will never be forgot. I will miss you old friend!
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember the ice cream business tracy would always tell my twin and I that they had gotten the licorice icecream in and I would go. He was a wonderful man..
Our sweet Sallee & family, our prayers are with you all . Loved serving in the stake with you & Pres. Nielson years ago it was a highlight in my life. Thank you for the light you always brought to our meetings. Love you!
Tracy was such a wonderful man – I feel blessed that our work life brought us together, but more importantly that he became a friend. I cherished reading the weekly updates coming from he and Sallee while at Cornell. The discovery of a tumor was so unreal, but having visited with Tracy after several surgeries, he was so optimistic and positive, realistic and accepting. He was grateful for the love of his family and support from his friends. He was how he had always been and he hadn’t changed…. Tracy is and will always be a beautiful soul – a great role model for us all! Sending prayers to Sallee and the whole Nielsen Family!
What a beautiful tribute to one of the most genuine and kind persons I have known. I am deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Tracy was my last manager before I retired from Intel and he surely made the last phase of my career a great ride. He was not only a wonderful manager to me, but also a trusted mentor and friend. The kindness Tracy role modeled in making so many tough decisions truly touched me. I will always remember the great memories that I was privileged to have in working for Tracy. My deepest condolences to the Nielsen family.
Quite simply the best human being I have ever known. How fortunate I feel for being able to work in partnership with Tracy for so many years. My memories overflow with stories and experiences from the Nielsen family. Thank you all for sharing him with his Intel family.
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My heart is sad. Prayers, peace and love to all.
I knew Tracy for only a short time. We served together in the prison ministry program at the complex in Florence, Az. I was so impressed by him and his obvious talents to teach and to draw out a persons true feelings. He is an incredible teacher and will be missed by those that he influenced. I pray God’s special blessings to be with his family. He will no doubt be furthering his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit world.
Tracy was such a great friend and colleague, always carry smile in his face and stay calm when others were panic, give great advice when needed. He will be deeply missed by everyone who know him.
I worked for Tracy in the late 90s at Intel in Chandler. He was a truly ethical guy and a great manager. I’m sorry for your loss. May God bless you and keep you.
I’ve been very saddened to hear this news. Tracy Nielsen was one of my YM leaders when I was 14 and I can say he had a major impact in growing my faith as a youth. I always knew he cared about me and was ever present to show love and concern in my young life. He taught me how to waterski, how to drive a boat, how to camp etc – all the great things young men need to know
I will cherish his memory and look forward to meeting him again in the next life. God be with you brother! Thank you for making an impact my life! God bless his family in the time ahead
I didn’t know jacks father extremely well, but I did know jack and if it is any testament to what a good person and father he was, Jack is an amazing spirit, carried himself even as a youngster with so much pride. I know that his parents teachings, only a man as great as MR Nielsen could pass those great traits down to his son, Jack was a teammate who’s family was so supportive of the sports we played and truly showed love as if everyone was family.
I will keep you guys in my families prayers and hope for closeness and love for all of your family. God bless you guys and I’m oh so very very sorry for the hurt this causes. Heaven has truly gained an amazing angel !
Sally and family, we as the Marsden family were shocked and sad to hear of Tracy’s battle with brain cancer and of his passing on from this mortal life and graduating! Loved reading about the wonderful life he has led since leaving our Bountiful neighborhood. We have always looked up to your family. We love you and are praying you will be comforted at this difficult time as you grieve. May you be wrapped in the loving arms of our Savior!
We were so sad to hear of Tracy’s departure from this venue, but what a wonderful legacy he has left his family. As a Nielsen relative, (Jeanette) – I was so tickled to learn that he has carried on the “pancake breakfast tradition” that Tracy’s Grandpa Nielsen started while living in Hollywood, California in the 1930’s.
May the Lord bless you can keep you and your family close during this time of grieving. And, take the time to record all the wonderful memories you ALL have of him so they won’t ever fade and be lost with time.
All our love and prayers – The Billings
What can be said at a time like this concerning a friend that moved in across the street from me in 1963. So many memories and so many fun times shared. Digging around in the gravel pits, hiking in the Unitas, having the Nielsen dog climb over the cab of the old International Harvester while we were traveling on the freeway to go hiking and camping at Rock Creek in the Uinta forest area. Serving in student government together, going to the Worlds Fair with Milt, Kenna Faye, Tracy, and Kirk. Finding our sweethearts and marrying them and then having a date at Muller Park and getting quite scared that night. Working together at Church headquarters, and on and on. I will miss you dear friend but I will look forward to a reunion one day! Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with Sallee and the family. Tracy continues to watch over his family and his legacy is eternal. Love to all of you at this difficult time for you and all of us who knew and loved him.
Wonderful man! I’m so sorry and our prayers for his family to find strength. His smile and kindness Will shine from heaven.
Tracy was truly an amazing human being and one of the most optimistic individuals that I have come across in life. Tracy was kind, empathetic and a very happy go lucky person who was a constant source of inspiration for close to 2 decades of my working life @ Intel. Tracy was cool as a cucumber, staying calm under pressure and never hesitated to roll-up his sleeves to lead the way solving complex problems. I am eternally grateful to him for the daily dose of inspiration that I drew from him!! I will greatly miss Tracy! My deepest condolences to Sallee and the rest of the Nielsen family. May his soul rest in peace!
Incredible human being who stood as a positive influence and role model for many of us, me included. Honest, sincere and caring. The embodiment of charity. Gave of himself and did not take from others. Sincere condolences to the entire Nielsen family.
“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
I am beyond grateful for the experiences I had growing up with the Nielsen family and feel deeply for your loss. This is a special family and that starts with great parents – Tracy was such a great influence on all of us that would crowd into your house, takeover the backyard, go out on the boat, and any number of crazy ideas we came up with that day. Myself and all of our friends were blessed to have such a fun childhood and such an exemplary leader to learn from.
Love you Sam and the entire family
Tracy was the most authentically decent man that I have ever met, and he had a significant impact on my life and career for many years at Intel. Over those years he was my boss, my mentor, my confidant, my advisor, and my friend. During those times when I wasn’t working with him, I would seek him out at events to catch up, get his thoughts on issues, and share a laugh. He was at all times extremely supportive, compassionate, and positive to everyone he interacted with. He stood up for and supported his organizations, and was a role model of ethics, honesty, and caring. Every person, place, or situation that Tracy interacted with was left better than it had been before.
Tracy, Thank you for the example you set for all of us to aspire too.
I have had the pleasure of working with Tracy from his first days at Intel until he retired. As a manager, he was always open to new ideas, especially if they were out of the box thinking that would accelerate our services to an even better level. Very supportive, honest and transparent. Under his guidance our very small team created a legacy in 1997 that is still running today… an e-Business Portal for our Suppliers and Vendors. This one project is one that everyone on the team remembers as high-points in their careers. On a personal level, Tracy was always a good friend and someone I could chat about life with. Over the years we stayed engaged on special projects and all he had to do was ask for a favor and I’d find a way to support it! You will be missed my friend but what a legacy you have left both at Intel and more importantly in your family!
Oh how I love your family! You were a huge part of my childhood. I can remember entering your house and Tracy greeting me with a big smile and a booming, happy voice. Vanessa just adored him as a dad and we as her friends adored him too. Sallee, I remember when you and Tracy welcomed me with open arms to your home the two different times I came to stay with you for a week in Arizona after you had moved from our neighborhood. I look back on that and think how generous you were to open up your house to me and add another kid to the family for a week! I felt so loved and happy in your house. You mentioned that Tracy loved spending time with your dog, Scout. I have very vivid memories of Scout running and jumping into your backyard pool when I came to visit! I couldn’t believe how fast and what a good swimmer he was. I remember wishing we had a dog like Scout :). I remember you and Tracy taking me and Vanessa places and making it a special vacation fo me. I am so grateful for those times. I send my condolences and my love to your family at this time. We love you. Shae, Jon and Family
Tracy was a valued colleague, somebody I could trust, who stood up for what he believed and above all was a great friend. He was able to put everything in perspective and always had a positive, can do outlook. I am very sad to hear of his passing and send my condolences to his family.
Tracy was one of the best leaders I worked with at Intel. His ability to look at both the big picture and the details, along with the genuine care he had for his team will always be treasured. The world has truly lost one of its true gems. May he rest in peace, and my sincerest condolences to his family.
The world is a poorer place with the loss of Tracy, a very kind and nice person who showed the people he worked with, a kinder and a gentler way of working with and managing people. May his soul Rest In Peace and god bless his soul.
We were serving in India when we heard the sad news of Tracy’s illness. We have many fond memories of serving with President Neilsen. Our fondest (and sadly the last) memory of him was when he set Merrily apart for the India Bengaluru Mission in August, 2018. The inspiration of that blessing carried us through the challenges of a faraway place, knowing that God would watch over our family while we served 10,000 miles away. His inspired lessons to the youth of the Tempe West Stake positively influenced more people than we will ever know. We can picture him, even now, enthusiastically involved in the gathering of Israel on the other side of the veil. Sallee, our hearts go out to you and your family at this difficult time.
My condolences to the family, as I am so deeply saddened by the news of Pres. Nielsen’s passing.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful family memories of his life, it was like reading a story of an old friend!
And, how wonderful to read all the beautiful memories shared by those whose lives he touched.
I feel so blessed to have met & got to know this kind & righteous gentleman. He, who always had a smile on his face and kind words were always spoken.
I wish them all comfort in the knowing of how wonderful to know, that they will all be reunited together some day!!!
I thank you for giving us the opportunity in sharing this with us. Nanette
Tracy was such an admirable man. Husband, father, professional leader and to me a true friend. I ran those trails on South Mtn. and did the rim to rim at the Grand Canyon. With Tracy. He made me a better man, I am grateful to have had him in my life.
Tracy positively impacted our family in so many ways, it would be impossible to list them all. He was a man without guile towards anyone, and a friend to all in need. He truly exemplified a Christ-like life. We treasure our 25+ years of friendship with the Nielsen family and know that we and our children are better people because of our many interactions with the Nielsens over the years. We love and appreciate Tracy, Sallee and the entire Nielsen clan.
Dear Sallee – How sad I have been to hear of Tracy’s passing. I have such fond memories of you two and young family. Tracy was such a great guy and good YM President even then. Didn’t he save us from that Copperhead snake that was sleeping on our tent with us at camp so long ago.
My love to you and your family in this difficult time. Thank goodness for the gospel.
My condolences to you and your family!! Got to know Tracy at Wood Cross High School ! A real great guy!!
Sad to hear about this; one can only imagine the experiences the family has been blessed with over the last while. May the Savior’s balm enrobe each of you!
Sallee, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Tracy. My greatest memory of Tracy was how deeply in love he was with you. Lots of great times in Reno. I send my warmest thoughts to you and your family.