Jay Brent Nielsen

On May 3, 2026, Jay “Brent” Nielsen, 74, of Washington, Utah, passed away after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Brent was born in Rexburg, Idaho, to J. Eldred and Leah Nielsen and was raised in Sugar City. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, he graduated from the Ricks College Aviation program and spent 40 years maintaining aircraft in the Salt Lake City area. Brent often said that work never felt like work because he loved what he did. Aviation ran deep in his family, and early on Brent earned his pilot’s license and owned an airplane. When his family outgrew the 2-seater plane, he pivoted and used his mechanical talent to spend time with his family on the water instead, fixing-up and maintaining sail boats and motorboats, instilling a love of water in all his children. In September 1976, Brent married Janie Munns. Together they raised three sons while living in the Salt Lake/Bountiful area. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brent served in Scouting, Young Men’s programs, and the Bishopric. In retirement, he and Janie returned to Idaho for several years enjoying the projects their fixer-upper property afforded them before heading south to Washington, Utah. Brent was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ladean Nielsen and Sharon Porter. He is survived by his wife Janie; sons Jayson (Rachel) Nielsen of Pace, Florida; Ryan (Amber) Nielsen of Las Vegas, Nevada; and McKay (Alise) Nielsen of Bountiful, Utah; along with 11 beloved grandchildren and many extended family members. “A mile of highway will take you one mile, but a mile of runway will take you anywhere”. Brent will be missed, but we know that he has left the runway into the next chapter of life. A graveside service will be held on July 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sugar City Idaho Cemetery.