Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things COLLEGE WARD, Utah - Troy Gene Nielsen, 55, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Feb. 16, 2009, after a courageous fight with melanoma skin cancer. Troy was born on July 13,1953, in Logan, Utah, to Lynn and Bernice Christiansen Nielsen. He grew up in College Ward. He graduated from Sky View High School in 1971. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to British Columbia, Canada. After his return, a friend asked him to help him by taking out his "homely sister" who just moved back from Hawaii. Troy decided to accept the challenge. The "homely sister," Cindy Hammond, turned out to be a "hottie" and the love of his life for 34 years. They were married Nov. 7, 1975, in the Logan LDS Temple. When Troy was four years old, his Grandma Christy gave him his first gun for Christmas. From that point on he was hooked on guns. I guess it was inevitable that he would choose law enforcement as his career. In 1981 he was hired as a deputy for the Cache County Sheriff's Office. He retired after 22 years of dedicated service. He loved his job and made many lifetime friends. After his retirement, he worked security at the First District Court until 2008. Troy enjoyed hunting with his son Kaleb, antelope and bear hunting with his buddies and the annual four wheeling trips to "the farm" in Clarkston with his family. Most Saturdays you would find Troy at the gun range. These were special times he spent with his good friends - whether he was shooting targets or shooting "the bull" with the guys, you knew he had a Pepsi in his hand. His true joy in life was his family and especially the grandkids. Kalie was born in 2003 and he was smitten from the minute they put her in his arms. When she was fussy, all they had to do was put her on Grandpa Troy's chest and she would go right to sleep. Kyelan arrived in 2004 and he soon found the same comfortable place on Grandpa's chest. When Kalie turned two, every Thursday you would find her, Grandpa Troy and Great-Grandpa Lynn at the cattle auction in Smithfield and then to lunch at Eddy's. Kye joined them when he turned 2. Most Fridays they would go to a movie or the playground and then to Charlie's for ice cream. These were precious times for him. On Dec. 5, Kolton Troy was born. He too found a place on Grandpa's chest to sleep. Troy was an awesome grandpa. They brought much joy into his life. Troy is survived by his wife, Cindy, of College Ward; his children, Kaleb (Andrea) Nielsen, Logan, Aje Summerly, Salt Lake City; and three adorable grandchildren, Kalie, Kye and Kolton Troy; his parents, Lynn and Bernice Nielsen, College Ward; two brothers, David (Deborah Wood) Nielsen, Hyde Park, Jason (Sherie) Nielsen, Albuquerque; and a sister, Glee (Barry) Pulley, St. Louis; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, Feb. 20, in the College Ward LDS Chapel, 2394 West 2200 South, Logan, with Bishop Paul Berntson conducting. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the College/Young Ward church on Friday. Interment will be in the Logan Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Troy Nielsen Scholarship Fund at Utah State University; call 435-797-1320 to contribute. We would like to thank Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob, his nurses and staff for their great care. I have a feeling they won't forget Troy's practical jokes and bright orange toe nails anytime soon. Thanks also to his many friends, you know who you are, for their visits, love and support through these difficult times. You brightened his day more than you'll ever know. We love you and will miss you so much but know you're finally out of pain and watching over us.