Donald Philip Nagel

Donald Philip Nagel, age 94, passed away in Gainesville, Virginia on July 6, 2025 at home, surrounded and cared for by his loved ones. He was a devoted husband to his "beautiful bride," Kuniko (Tanaka) Nagel. He was a proud and loving father and grandfather to Paul Nagel; Donna Schumacher and her husband, Mark, and their children Casey Schumacher (and wife, Lauren) and Julie Schumacher; Carl Nagel; Marie Nagel DeBonis and her husband, Rocco, and their children Nico and Stella DeBonis; Kenneth Nagel and his wife, Jacklyn, and their children Alex, Asher and Alston Nagel; and Christopher Nagel and his wife, Shannon Cardellina, and their children Keoni and Connor Nagel; and his adopted children, Frank Nagel and O'Dessa (Nagel) Gallia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marie Nagel, sister Sr. Cecilia Nagel, and brother Jerome Nagel.

Born on November 8, 1930 in Lakewood, Ohio, Don relocated to Mission, Texas with his family when he was a teen. There, he worked in his father's shop, learning to fix radios and the new technology of the time - the television! He had a knack for anything with an engine, and earned his pilot's license for the sheer joy of being able to fly. Don enlisted and served twice with the Army National Guard of the State of Texas, and was deployed as a special radio operator in Greenland during the Korean War. He went on to a 40-year career as a systems engineer with Raytheon, Inc. His work with Raytheon allowed him to travel around the world, including to Japan, where he met his beloved Kuniko and where they married on October 11, 1970. They lived in Korea, Taiwan, and Jordan, and then settled in Derry, New Hampshire, where he and Kuniko raised their family. Don was proud to have worked on both the Hawk and Patriot missile defense systems. After retiring, Don and Kuniko settled in Gainesville, Virginia to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Don brought a fierce integrity and passion to everything he did. He was a gifted teacher, teaching himself and his kids to play tennis, sail, and windsurf. Upon retiring, he volunteered with a non-profit organization to teach science to middle-school students and also visited senior citizens who lived alone. After moving to Virginia, Don enjoyed many hours volunteering with the Heritage Hunt Light, Sound and Television group.

Nothing brought Don more joy than his family. We will remember his deep love, the lessons he taught us, his bear hugs, and the way his face lit up when he saw us. "I am a man blessed," he would always say; but we were the ones who were blessed to have him.

The family will have a celebration of life on August 1, 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Trinity Hospice Services, 5 Rock Pointe Lane, Suite #250, Warrenton, VA 20186. We will never be able to express our gratitude fully to Trinity for their compassionate care for Don and support for Kuniko and the family.