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BORN
1941
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
William Nunn Obituary
Allen Nunn passed away peacefully at the Salt Lake VA Hospital on March 20th after a long illness, surrounded by his loving wife and his two sisters-in-law. He was the son of Marta E. Allen Nunn and William Gibby Nunn, and is survived by his wife of 44 years, Joy, his daughter Meghan Elizabeth, son-in-law Chris Buxton, grandson Eizha Lanoha-Nunn, grandaughters Rivir, Serene, and Willow Buxton, and his brother Art Nunn. This is the obituary Allen wrote for himself prior to his passing:
Allen graduated from East High in 1959. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1958 and began a life-long love affair with the Army which lasted 37 years. He retired in 1994 as a Colonel commanding a Joint Service Group. In all of his activities, he always looked for an "adrenal rush". He was a sworn officer with the SLCPD for four years, and served in the Central Intelligence Agency for seven years. He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, the Australian Task Force and was a ground operations officer for the CIA. He was a Special Deputy with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's office, 1974-2006. Among those activities were numerous adrenalin rushes to be had.
He was qualified in and served in the career fields of: Infantry, Armor, Aviation, Special Forces and was a qualified Foreign Area Officer. He won a C.I.B. in Vietnam, was an Army aviator and a Master Parachutist. He commanded three times at the Company level, an Air Cavalry troop, a transportation aircraft maintenance company (AIR) (DS), and a finance company.
Allen formed and commanded a Joint Service Group, the 6396th JSG, to provide training opportunities for seven battalions. The group supported theater commands such as PACOM, SOCPAC, EUCOM and SOUTHCOM; personnel trained to run exercises and also provided "surge" capability for several theaters.
Allen was board selected to attend the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. He graduated in 1991 and retired from the military in 1994.
Academic achievements included: BA in History & Government, 1974; BS, Pre-Medical Studies, 1977; BS in Human Biology, 1979; Doctorate, Naturopathic Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1987.
He was licensed by both the state of Utah, and the DEA, and practiced medicine for 20 years. Semi-retired, in 2012 he donated care, and began writing the books he was always planning to write.
Allen loved life, family, friends, pets, and his alternate personality, "Oleg". Oleg always had the most fun ever. Allen had a fabulous sense of humor, and hundreds of stories to share from his life and experiences. He loved doing stand-up comedy and gesturing hypnotically at people…. He understood that life is a school where we are given both challenges and problems to solve. He was a master at problem solving. In his core beliefs, there are built-in firm guarantees that he will come again when class is in session. He loves and misses you all.
A celebration of Allen's life will be held on Saturday, March 29th from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor at 3651 South 900 East, where complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building. Graveside burial service will be at Utah Vets Memorial Cemetery (Camp Williams). Please contact Starks Funeral Parlor for date and time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Allen's name to the Utah VA Hospital. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Nunn
Sponsored by Starks Funeral Parlor.
Paula Eskelson
October 14, 2024
Dr Nunn would say this is too much information, but I´m being tested for something that I almost died from about 14 years ago. I had resigned myself to die because I could not afford the medicine. But with the last bit of energy I could muster, I sought out Dr Nunn because I knew that no matter what, he would not allow me to wither away. When I saw him, his happy and lovingly glib demeanor changed immediately and he came to me and asked me what was wrong. I explained the situation and without hesitation he was on the phone getting me the medicine that I needed. I owe my life to him. His love for people was second to none. I saw him for years, and I would linger and talk to him, and sometimes with him and his close cop buddies from back in the day. I would listen to their stories. He did have so many great stories. When I learned of his passing, it was three weeks after the fact, and I sobbed for an hour. I loved him so much and I miss him so much. I think about him all the time. Sending you a big hug in heaven because you never leave without hugging your doctor.
Valerie Banta
March 17, 2021
Received this reminder this morning and can hardly believe it has been seven years that we lost Dr. Nunn. I can still see him sitting at his desk and the great stories he would share about his time in Viet Nam and having to jump out of helicopters etc. He said he was afraid of heights but did what he had to do. Oh, could he make you laugh and it is that sense of humor that I've remembered most about him. I pray that Joy and the family have been doing well. I am sure Dr. Nunn would be so concerned with COVID and stressing the importance of keeping our immune systems strong with different recommendations. I have yet to met another Naturopath like him. I find myself a widow now and how much I miss going in for one of his vitamin B-12 shots, they always perked me up. Praying he has been spreading his wings and flying thru eternity. You have not been forgotten.
Valerie Banta
Cordell Logan
March 17, 2020
Ah, a year has gone. And lucky Allen doesn't have to be concerned about coronavirus and other crazy things. Yes, I miss him.
October 13, 2014
It's a little late, but I just learned about your loss. Allen called a couple of times over the last two or three years, and was so proud of his life, and of his family. We talked a little for old times sake. I'm so glad he found you and found closeness and caring.
Beth Seely
[email protected]
Andrea Washburn
April 16, 2014
Allen was a good buddy to me. We shared a lot of laughs and fun trips to Costco. He always made me feel like a valued friend/daughter Ophelia.
April 5, 2014
Blessings & healing thoughts go out to Joy & the Nunn family. Such a nice man will be missed by every one who knew him. May he live forever in the hearts and memories of all he loved.
k w
April 3, 2014
You were a great man. I was just a girl in a deli who made you a sandwich but you forever stayed in my mind and changed the way I thought about everything. Rest in peace good man
Jen Hansen
April 3, 2014
I am saddened to hear about our loss of Dr Nunn. I am blessed to have known him. He was an incredible human being & very compassionate doctor. He will be missed by many. His memory will live on.
Bobbi Gursin
April 3, 2014
Bobbi Gursin
April 2, 2014
I am deeply saddened by the loss of the great Doc Nunn. I worked for him a few years ago in his practice and got to know him and his family. I enjoyed hearing the stories of his wonderful life adventures and always could put a smile on my face and anyone else he came in contact with. Doc was a great friend, a great doctor with a compassion and love of all. He will be deeply missed.
March 29, 2014
Dr Nunn and I shared the growing pains of our beloved profession, Naturopathic Medicine. In looking at his life, he accomplished a lot, and we shared a bit of the skies of flight, he in a helicopter and myself in a single-engined airplane. The hole in the sky will be missed. - Cordell E Logan
Steven N. Ulosevich, Major, USAF, retired
March 28, 2014
For all we know, Mr. DeWitt Copp may have had Al Nunn, my dear friend and fellow Army flight school survivor, in mind when he wrote A Few Great Captains (Doubleday, 1980). Al lead by example all the 43 years I knew him. His example wasn't always stellar. However, Al was always genuine, and he was steadfastly loyal to his family, friends and fellow warriors.
“Big Al” loved good food and beverage. No one piled more cheese, pepperoni and Italian sausage per square foot to prepare a pizza. He miraculously kept his cholesterol and blood pressure under control during flight school with self-prescribed daily doses of Scotch whisky every day except on Sunday. Then, on the Lord's Day, he and his roommate Ray frequently could be found enjoying Eggs Benedict, strong black coffee, and small glasses of grapefruit juice. When downing the juice, Al made grotesque faces and punctuated the animated gestures with several hyperextensions of his hairy tongue while simultaneously uttering guttural sounds emanating deep within “Oleg” (reportedly his alter ego). The first time my better 80% and I hosted Big Al at our home for a meal other than a flight school pizza party, he made it crystal clear that he does not eat yard bird (aka chicken). Instead, he preferred a simple diet of steak, baked potato and a salad. Al also informed us that he did not use margarine. He thought it was a poison that had wormed its way into the US food chain. So, we served him butter.
There was no better story teller than Al Nunn. He rarely felt any need to embellish a story. Unlike mere mortals, he didn't need to. Al lived one of the most interesting, full and complete lives imaginable. He shared the stories with anyone who expressed interest. Al had remarkable intellect and enjoyed showing it in diverse ways -- telling humorous stories, writing “off the wall” creative Christmas newsletters, and running for Congress (some voters apparently wanted him in office; absolutely no one in Congress did). I wish he had been elected. We wouldn't be in the shape we're in now!
William Allen Nunn, Al, “Big Al,” Colonel Nunn, and “Oleg” all constantly sought to redefine/reestablish balance within his life while he walked among us. These faithful servants of mankind all applied unique intellectual offerings to enhance the lives of family, friends, colleagues and members of his community. At times those of us who knew him the best were lulled (through our own complacency) into thinking that Big Al was coasting or resting. In reality, he never rested while “class was in session.” Al was in constant pursuit of the perfect plan and the optimum implementation strategy to maximize any potential payoffs that might be made in his favor by the “system.” How else could a young man from Salt Lake City achieve great successes in the US Army/Guard, the CIA, local law enforcement, naturopathic medicine, while nurturing his personal relationships among family and friends? While doing good deeds to benefit everyone he touched, my fellow warrior-in-arms never forgot how to make the system also work for him. His singular stroke of genius within his peacetime military service was convincing the power brokers in Hawaii that his presence was essential to the effective and efficient planning and conduct of joint command exercises. He successfully negotiated access to both the “Blue” and the “Red” books used during the exercises. Consequently, Big Al was always on the winning side. Pretty savvy! My bride and I held him accountable during his trips to paradise while I was stationed at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces from 1985-1991. It was our pleasure to host him for backyard cookouts in the shadows of Kole Kole Pass. He was easy to entertain as long as the menu featured Scotch, steak, baked potato (with butter, not margarine) and salad. Some things just never changed. When not talking shop at our home after work, we might meet at the Pieces of Eight restaurant in Honolulu to enjoy sauteed scallops. The chow was great and the price was right!
There is so much more that could be cited as representative of Al Nunn's rich life. However, few things say as much as the following.
During one of his military assignments to South Vietnam, Al performed minor surgery on some of his fellow combatants while still serving as a young enlisted person. He was neither trained nor experienced as a combat medic. Nevertheless, he had the courage to do what was needed to help his buddies. Al didn't worry about the potential risks to his career, if things turned sour. After he hung up his uniform, Al put on a lab coat and rolled up his sleeves to serve his community as a naturopathic physician. In one special humanitarian initiative, Dr. Nunn purchased several refurbished oxygen generators and distributed them to low income residents within his community at no cost to them.
Despite his life-long predisposition to seeking the good things life had to offer, he was reliable even when opportunities arose to tempt him to be something other than reliable and trustworthy. For example, early in his military career, Al (rank unknown) was issued a duffle bag before departing the US for delivery in Saigon, South Vietnam. He did his job as ordered. He dropped the bag at a restaurant (a CIA front operation). Al could have taken the duffle bag to any point on the planet. Instead, he delivered the bag (stuffed with large denominations of US currency) to the CIA operative. Well done, good and faithful soldier!
At times Al's behaviors were hard to read (especially for young inexperienced people who tended to see things in black and white). I remember the time when Al invited me to join him in Salt Lake City for a visit with his mother, who he affectionately referred to as “Chubby.” It was a rare glimpse into his private life. At first, I thought he was being disrespectful. It didn't take long to see that she adored Al and actually expected him to call her “Chubby.” He indirectly taught me an important lesson that lasted a lifetime.
Big Al could appear out-of-control at times with outlandish behaviors, which some might have characterized as “off-the-charts.” I certainly didn't know how to react sometimes. However, his bride of 44 years always knew what to do! Al loved Joy and would do anything for her. He had a deep respect for Joy's artistic skills and leadership roles within several local and statewide art communities. Joy softened Al. He was forever changed for the better when Joy gave birth to Meghan. Al and Joy together doted on Meghan and later freely focused their resources on several grandchildren.
You will be sorely missed, Big Al! Thank you for your smile, your phone calls, and all other spirited communications over the years. You were a very special friend, indeed!
As you fly west through eternity, you'll be pleased that the weather forecast remains CAVU with light and variable tailwinds. No more storms ahead. All VNE restrictions have been repealed. You are cleared in “hot” with unlimited stores of munitions. Hooah!
Rick and Elfi Ortenburger
March 28, 2014
Allen lived a very productive life serving his country and yes, he was funny !
Our hearts go out to Joy and Meghan and the rest of the family.
Love, Cousins Elfi and Rick Ortenburger
Tommy
March 28, 2014
I have known Col. Nunn for decades and over the years we exchanged hundreds of letters. He was my very best friend and the most honorable, courageous, generous, and worthwhile individual I have ever known. We had a lot in common, both combat veterans of Vietnam, having both served with the Central Intelligence Agency, both being helicopter pilots, and both of us pursuing careers in the medical field. He was always my mentor and big brother and helped me more than any man that has every lived. Alan was a religious man and often spoke with me about his belief in the immortality of the soul. He was a tremendously funny person, with a great sense of humor, great intelligence, and a sense of charity towards his fellow man that is seldom found on the planet earth. I am overwhelmed by his passing. Remember now how long thou has been putting off things, and how often thou hast received an opportunity from God, as the Sun rises on his Kingdom at dawn, and if thou dost not use every day to clear the clouds from thy mind, the day will go, and the sun will set, and thou wilt go. It is a time to pray to Almighty God, and reflect on the Universal substance, of which every man has but a small portion, and of Universal Time, of which a short and indivisible portion has been alloted. Do not act as if thou wert going to live three thousand years, or many times ten thousand years. Always remember that no man loses any other life than which he now lives, nor lives any other than which he now loses. The Moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half-a-line, nor all your tears was out a single word. I miss you more than a human being can imagine, Alan, and I know you are in heaven with the heros, the just men, and human beings that bring credit to themselves and the Universe. Rest in peace.
March 25, 2014
Dr. Nunn was always pure joy, a character we will remember with a light heart. He will be missed and thought of often. We send our love to you all, Butch and Val Phipps
Angie Hutchins Engelke
March 24, 2014
May he rest in peace with our Savior. My thoughts and prayers are with Joy and Meghan! I will be praying for you! Xxoo
Brilliant Doctor !
Dale Parker
March 24, 2014
Allen was one of my best friends and associates. He helped my family with our health care and his knowledge of natural medicine was extraordinary! My daughter had the privilege to interview him about his war experience and we were both overwhelmed with gratitude to learn of his bravery in Vietnam. A Solider and a Doctor like him will be sorely missed. We Love you Allen!
Salvador & Charlene Ventura
March 24, 2014
So sad to hear about Allen's passing. We became acquainted when our daughters attended grade and high school together and spent many good times as friends. To Joy, we wish you the best. We always remember you with fondness and love.
Amanda Mitchell
March 23, 2014
Meghan & Joy,
My heart breaks reading this. Da was such a joy, such a good soul. I am so sorry for his passing. So much love to you.
- Mandy
Brandy Ventura-Kristiansen
March 23, 2014
Dear Meghan, Joy, and family: I am so sad to hear of your dad's passing. Thinking of him today brought back great memories of the many times I spent at your house as a kid, and the time he ate flowers at Lagoon to embarrass us in front of cute boys :) Always quite a character, he will be missed. I miss you guys too. Love always to you my other sister. Love, brandy <3
Shirley Serassio Wilkey
March 23, 2014
I was saddened by the death of Colonel Nunn. He was an amazing man who always left you laughing with some kind of a story or joke. His wit and charm will be deeply missed.
Craig Tame
March 23, 2014
Good Guy
March 23, 2014
I send my condolences from afar for the passing of Allen. He meant alot to me and to my family who all share in your grief. Allene "Alli" Larkin.
Jim Serassio
March 23, 2014
We are saddened at Allen's passing, and extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this difficult time. He used his powers for good and made things happen and his legacy will continue on.
March 23, 2014
Alan was and will always be my friend. Roger Kinnersley
Mike Knodel
March 23, 2014
I am so sorry that Allen has passed, He was a great friend. And he will alway be in our Hearts..
March 23, 2014
To discover that Dr. Nunn has passed away is sad for me. I first met him in 2007 when I was having several issues from depression to anxiety and lack of energy. Dr. Nunn was there to listen, to offer any and all help. His concern for me was so comforting and knowing he was there anytime was wonderful. Dr. Nunn, may you rest in peace knowing you lived a full and rewarding life. I pray the Lord will bless your dear wife and family with his comforting spirit. I will miss his wonderful stories, he was admired greatly and will be missed greatly.
Sincerely,
Valerie Banta
Sandy, UT.
Gloria Miller
March 23, 2014
The world has lost a great man, but it is a better place, and we are better people from knowing him.
Karen Newman Bsumek
March 23, 2014
I didn't know him well but what I did know, I knew he was a wonderful human being and will be missed.
Dr. Dennis Zerull
March 23, 2014
May the journey into your next life be one of joy and happiness. Until then may you rest with our brother Warriors with honor in Valhalla. De Opresso Liber. Never forgotten
March 23, 2014
R.I.P. Dr. Nunn. Thanks for helping me through life.
Sean Young
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