Thomas "Eric" Nield

Thomas Eric Nield, known to family and friends as Eric, passed away on September 2, 2015 at his home in Pocatello, Idaho. He was 47 years old.

Eric was born in Provo, Utah on November 9, 1967 to Thomas and Karen Nield. He was the oldest of nine children. At age 10 his family settled in Chubbuck, Idaho where Eric attended Chubbuck Elementary, Hawthorne Jr. High and Highland High.

Eric served an honorable, full-time 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Vina Del Mar, Chile after which he and his high school sweetheart, Nancy Ann Merrill, were married in the Logan Utah Temple on February 17, 1989. They were sealed for time and all eternity.

In 1994 he graduated from BYU and he and Nancy left Provo with his degree in Electrical Engineering and their first three children: Megan Alisa (25), Joshua Eric (23), and Michael Trent (22). In 1996, after studying for his Masters of Engineering at the U of I in Moscow ID, they moved to Portland, OR area for a job with Maxim Integrated Products and welcomed their last two children: Zachary Daniel (17), and Ryan Scott (16). Eric and Nancy built their life and raised their family among wonderful, beloved friends in the Hillsboro area for 15 years.

Spring of 2011, Eric was offered a job in Pocatello at ON Semiconductor and he and Nancy moved their family home. Within a year of returning, their daughter graduated BYU and married, their oldest two boys left for LDS missions, Eric and Nancy moved once again, and six months later on February 28, 2013 Eric was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor.

Eric's children were his inspiration and joy. They describe him as a doting father who was calm, worthy, diligent, honest, and silly. One of his favorite things was laughing with them over silly jokes with his quick, dry wit. He was a man who didn't speak ill of others, was slow to anger, and never raised his voice. He called his wife his greatest passion and referred to her as "gorgeous" every day of their (30) years together. He was a gentle, giving husband. He loved BYU athletics, playing basketball, filling his mind with science and engineering, and was an avid cyclist. He was a believer in Christ with a testimony that ran tender and deep.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, and their five children: Megan (Sam) Speer, Joshua Nield, Michael (Jessica) Nield, Zachary Nield, and Ryan Nield; his parents Tom and Karen Nield; and siblings Carrie (Rodney) Chandler, Chris (Dayna) Nield, Bryan (Tonya) Nield, Benjamin (Tracy) Nield, Troy (Lacy) Nield, Abigail (Travis) Hull; brother-in-law Robert (Tami) Merrill; sisters-in-law Amy Nield, Jana (Gary) Longmore, Patti (Jed) Cook; in-laws Lee and DeeAnn Merrill and a host of nieces and nephews whom he adored.

He is preceded in death by two brothers: Joshua Nield and Tyler Nield.

A private graveside service will be held for his family at a later date at Mountain View Cemetery. His services are under the care and direction of Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road.

Condolences may be sent to his family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.