Ad Astra - Jack "Nugget" Nugent '53

Jack L. Nugent  

Obituary:

Dr. Jack L. Nugent, DDS, was born in Centralia, WA, December
16, 1929 son of  John and Nellie (Nordlund) Nugent,. He grew
up in Centralia and graduated from Centralia High School in
1949. During his school years, Jack excelled as an all-around
athlete in football, basketball and track. As a senior he played
 in the State All-Star football game and was an outstanding
track athlete statewide.

Upon graduation, Jack received a football scholarship to
the University of Washington  where he played halfback  and fullback for the Huskies. Jack was one of the outstanding  rushers at the University.  In 1951 he returned a historic punt against Oregon for  a 97-yard touchdown.

At the University he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Oval Club, Tyee Club and the Big W Club.

Following graduation, Jack married Aldalee “Lee”Simonson  of Aberdeen  in 1954.  He continued his education at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, graduating in 1958.

He entered the US Army as a commissioned officer, a Captain in the Dental Corps at Fort Ord, CA. Upon completion of military service, Jack and Lee moved to Aberdeen where Jack established his dental practice. He practiced dentistry for  forty years in Aberdeen and held a number of leadership positions statewide.  He served as president of the Washington State Dental Association. He was one of the founders of Washington Dental Service, the premier provider of dental insurance in Washington State. He served two years as president of WDS and also served as president of the Grays Harbor Dental Society.  Dr. Nugent was a founder of the Dean’s Club at the U of W Dental School, serving as president from 1984 to 1986. Professionally he belonged to the American College of Dentists  and the Fellows of the International College of Dentistry. Socially, Jack served as president of the Grays Harbor Country Club and was a trustee of the Washington Athletic Club representing Southwest Washington. He was  the team dentist for the Grays Harbor College athletic program, providing pro-bono  services for the college athletes. Jack was an active member of the Grays Harbor College Choker Club and Footprinters. Jack was a lifelong Husky fan, supporting Husky football and serving as chairman for the many coaches’ tours to Grays Harbor. He enjoyed golf and loved following  the athletic pursuits of his grandchildren.  He was known for his personal philanthropy  and anonymous service in providing charitable dental care to many deserving people. Jack is survived by Lee, his wife of 58 years, at the family home in Tumwater; two sons: Scott H. and wife Karen Nugent, Auburn, WA and Jeffrey A. and wife Luanne Nugent, Olympia; three grandchildren: Katelyn, Jacob and Patrick Nugent; and one sister: Eloise Evans,  Kirkland, WA. Five sisters preceded Dr. Nugent in death. A celebration of Dr. Nugent’s life will be held Saturday, July 28th from 1 until 4 PM at River’s Edge at Tumwater Valley Golf Course, 4611 Tumwater Valley Dr. SE, Tumwater. The family will hold a private interment at the Fern Hill Cemetery Mausoleum, Aberdeen. Clay,      Just an alert, Clay.  I saw the article in the Seattle Times this morning about  the loss of Jack Nugent.  He was still in the house and living up in the Maid’s  Quarters during my first couple of years so I would guess he was about the  Class of 1953.   I’m sure you’ll hear more from other sources.                                                                                  Gary Gaffner '55   He played fullback, and I was his backup in '52.... until I was activated w/my VF squadron  @ Sand Point just before our football opener that Fall. RIP Nugget! Jerry Thornton '55