Hugh Lynn Nutt, former Lamar resident, peacefully died on November 12, 2016, in Rogers, AR, after a long-term incapacity related to a Lewy Body’s disease diagnosis four years earlier.
Nutt was born on May 17, 1926, at his family’s rural farm in Beech Creek, AR. He was the last of 14 children born to W.W. Nutt and Irene (Hudgens) Nutt. He is survived by his wife Frances (Barton) Nutt, 88; children Linda Carlson (Alan) of Lowell, AR, Dr. Lane Nutt (Cheryl) of Bolivar, MO, and Stephen Nutt (Richard Morris) of Arlington, VA; and five grandchildren; Kyle Bunney, Lynn Nutt (Kara), Jessica Nutt, Jennifer Nutt, and Jaclyn Nutt. Granddaughter Krista Ann Bunney predeceased her doting grandfather in 1992. Brother Wayne Nutt of Hopkins, SC is his only surviving sibling.
After graduating from high school in Hamburg, AR, Nutt enlisted in the Army and was honored to have served his country in WWII (England, France, and Germany) and in General MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and married fellow Razorback Frances Barton in 1951. He completed his Masters degree in Extension Service in 1966 at the University of Missouri; however, Hugh remained loyal to his beloved Razorbacks until his death.
Hugh touched the head, heart, hands, and health of thousands of youth across Missouri as a distinguished 4H leader and youth specialist serving in St. Francois, Iron, Barton, Jasper, Newton, McDonald, and Dade counties. Nutt retired from the University of Missouri Extension Service in 1983 after more than 30 years of service to the community.
Hugh was a committed member the Arcadia Valley Lions Club and served as both Tail Twister and President of the Lamar Lions Club. After studying at the Missouri Auction School in Kansas City, he earned the title “Colonel” in 1983, fulfilling a childhood dream. And Hugh and Fran played bridge together with close friends and neighbors for as often and long as they could.
Shortly after their marriage in 1951, Hugh and his bride became members of the First Baptist Churches of Fredericktown (MO) and Ironton (MO). His service to the Lord and leadership in the church continued after the family’s relocation to Lamar (MO) in 1963. While at First Baptist Church in Lamar, Nutt served as Chairman of the Deacons, financial secretary, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and member of the men’s quartet. If you listen closely, you can still hear the thump-thump-thump of his foot keeping time behind the pulpit while he led the congregation as frequent music director.
Nutt served on the Board of Directors of The Baptist Home and was instrumental in the growth of facilities and services across the State. Following retirement, Nutt transitioned from Director to Resident as he and Fran relocated to Ozark, MO in 2007 and joined the Southgate Baptist Church. Complications due to the progression of his disease forced their move to a long-term care facility in Rogers, AR, from which he left this Earth to join his Heavenly Father.
Besides his devotion to his wife and family, Hugh’s love of gardening could only be trumped by his love of fishing. In his mind, the only thing missing from the bread-and-fish feast was a large plate of sliced tomatoes…..and maybe a side of fried okra.
As his last contribution to society, Hugh’s brain has been entrusted to medical researchers at The Brain Endowment Bank with the University of Miami (FL) Miller School of Medicine for further study to promote a greater understanding of this rare and devastating form of dementia related to Parkinson’s disease.
Service will be 10:00 am Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Springfield Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors.
The family will receive friends 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday at Daniel Funeral Home.
Contributions are suggested to Hugh L. Nutt and Frances Barton Nutt 4-H Scholarship Fund of Barton County (MO), the Memorial Fund of the First Baptist Church of Lamar (MO), or for the Goodwin LifeCare Center at the Baptist Home of Ozark (MO) in care of Daniel Funeral Home
Before he was finished, Hugh Lynn Nutt left an indelible mark on his community, his church, his children and grandchildren, and you. And The Master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I am so sorry for your loss but happy that Mr. Nutt has been rewarded with his heavenly home. I was one of his Jasper County 4-H'ers, in the 70's. He encouraged me, and was with me at National 4-H Congress and the trip to Washington DC. My career choice was to also be a County 4-H agent and served in Oklahoma. I wish I could have shared with him that I became a Southern Baptist pastors wife and now a missionary in Nicaragua and Mexico. He was a legend in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteBless you all. I was Hugh's assistant in the Carthage Extension Office in the late 70's and 1980. He was a wonderful boss and such a kind role model for the kids. I will always remember that Hugh was in his element at 4-H Camp at Camp Smokey; he never quit smiling and had so much fun with the 4-Hers!
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