Thomas Seth Nield

February 25, 1945, was a special day in Montpelier, Idaho as Thomas Seth Nield was the eighth child born to William and Viola Nield. His happy childhood was spent on "Incubator Street" playing "Kick the Can", "Red Rover'', and "Hide n Seek" until the mosquitoes and retreating sun scattered the children home. Two more siblings followed him in the big household. He was raised with love and learned to work hard, pray as a family and keep a comb in his pocket.

His gregarious and fun personality directed his teen years in Montpelier adding to the football and basketball teams as quarterback and forward, chosen as Junior Prom king and Preferred man. However, he did not become FHA king because he turned his entry cake into a food fight. High school was for fun and socializing with academics to be tolerated. At 16 the accidental death of his younger brother had a profound effect on his purpose in life.

Representative of all his adult years, he served as a missionary in the Eastern States mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1964-1966. He relished in sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ to the visitors as a guide at the Mormon Pavilion during the New York World's Fair. Working diligently, he had little patience with other elders who could not maintain his missionary march.

Enrolling in BYU in 1966 he quickly met Karen Hurst and a whirlwind courtship followed. A first date in October, Thanksgiving engagement, and a January wedding in the Salt Lake Temple led to 56 years of interrupted bliss. Before his graduation from BYU in 1970, Eric and Carrie joined their little family. Two summer internships in Chicago and company scholarships helped sustain them financially.

The transient years began as employment took them to Mountain View, California for two years where Christopher was born; Fresno, California for three years and the addition of Bryan; Boise the next two years and the births of Benjamin and Tyler. His job required days of traveling throughout Idaho away from home. Through his association with independent insurance agents the decision was made to join what would eventually become Insurance Designers with him as owner of a successful business in Pocatello. Once again, a UHaul loaded the growing group to Chubbuck which was home for the next 46 years. The family was complete with the arrivals of Troy, Joshua who wasn't to need an earthly existence, and Abigail.

Gaining roots provided many additional opportunities. Here is willingness to serve was evident. His love for his Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and testimony of the gospel permeated every aspect of his life. He was called as bishop three times- home ward, Young Single Adults ward and his favorite calling ever with the married student ward at ISU. For another nine years he was busy as first counselor in the Chubbuck Stake presidency. His love for people, ability to listen and genuine concern made him a beloved and respected leader.

Being involved in the community was important. He usually enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball, basketball, flag football and soccer until other demands made him another spectator. A term on the Chubbuck City Council increased his knowledge of government functioning and the location of every pothole as complaints were aired by citizens at Saturday night runs to Smiths for milk. He loved being a part of a small town and being able to greet so many individuals by name.

At retirement he sold his insurance agency to his sons and he and Karen nervously packed for an 18-month mission in Ireland/Scotland to again work with young adults. He danced in a kilt, almost learned to drive on the other side of the road, ate at pubs, and pretended to understand Scottish English. What a great experience! After returning home he and Karen managed the Pocatello Bishop's Storehouse and made new friendships.

Through it all, nothing was more important than his family. Memories of family reunions with heated Salem games, GPS hunts and hula skits are legendary. Relationships with grandchildren were built through "Grandcamps" and camping from Island Park to Utah with star gazing, toilet papering, moose and bear sightings and tattling on their parents.

Life's trials came in never-ending waves in the last decade. The loss of four children, prostate cancer and the debilitating effects of myotonic dystrophy created a different, more challenging life scenario. Tom's life can be summed up in family, faith and service. He made an impact.

As he passed through the veil on August 18, 2023, he was embraced on the other side by his children Eric, Carrie, Bryan, Tyler and Joshua, his parents and all of his nine siblings. Those on earth missing him dearly include his wife, Karen, his children Christopher (Dayna), Benjamin, Troy (Lacey) and Abigail (Travis) Hull, daughters-in-law Nancy, Tonya, Amy and son-in-law Rodney Chandler as well as 29 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Our hearts are filled with love, and we rejoice in our knowledge of an eternal reunion.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Chubbuck Stake Center, 450 James Avenue, Chubbuck.  A viewing will take place on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Chubbuck Stake Center, as well as for one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.  

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