Joshua Lee Nelson

Lifelong Wasilla resident Joshua Lee Nelson, 36, passed away at home in the arms of his loving wife early Friday morning, Dec. 1, 2017. A service and celebration potluck will be held in the Hanson hangar at 3700 N. Travelair Drive, Wasilla (Anderson Lake area) on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 at 2 p.m. Next summer, his family will spread his ashes in places that were very special to Josh. Joshua was born Feb. 22, 1981 in Anchorage, Alaska. He graduated from Wasilla High School in 1999 and then served in the U.S. Army until he was injured in a parachute jump and Honorably Discharged in 2002. Since then he has been working in the oilfield on the North Slope. Most recently working as Motorman with Nabors Drilling but capable of performing any task requested. His co-workers said, “Josh was such a fun loving incredible guy. He was always stepping in and offering to help others, expanding his knowledge and passing on what he knew. We gave “Big J Wolfman Nelson” a call over for the heavy lifting and he was always willing to give that hand in a heartbeat.”

Josh’s pride and joy were his wife and two boys. His life was centered around his family and wonderful friends he considered family. He loved unconditionally and proudly. Passing on his drive for adventure, Josh took great value in teaching his boys his passion of off-road vehicles, camping, and fishing. Along with the outdoor lifestyle, Josh love to sing, dance, laugh, joke and get lost in deep conversations. With such a great circle of friends cook-outs at the Nelson’s were a common occurrence and the garage was always packed full of his many “brothers.” Josh was funny, if not hilarious, and had a love for music. He would often burst into song, treating friends to country classics and the raw comedy of Chris Farley impersonations. His laughter was contagious, the giggle he has will leave an impression on anyone who’s heard it. The family commented that “Josh is that one in a million, a billion to us and that we will miss his love and hugs the most.” He is survived by his wife Kristin and his two young boys Odin (5) and Waylon (4) of Palmer; his mother Robyn and step-father Lyle Swihart of Palmer; his brothers Michael Nelson of Salt Lake City Utah, Chris Nelson of Chugiak, and Tyler Nelson of Wasilla; Grandmother Mary Holzer of Palmer, many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Close Friends. Joshua was preceded in death by his father Michael Nelson of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Grandpa Walt of Perkins Oklahoma.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Josh Nelson memorial fund that has been established for his boys at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kehl's Palmer Legacy Funeral Home.