June 28, 1940 — February 22, 2016
Ludell (Lou) Nay, 75, of New Harmony, UT passed away peacefully on February 22nd, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 28, 1940 in Richfield, Utah to Ralph Edwin Nay and Agatha Applegate Nay. He spent his early years in Marysvale, Frisco and Herriman with his parents and younger sister, Marta, as Ralph worked in hard rock mining. Lou attended school through the sixth grade in Marysvale, enjoying playing with his cousin Don Johnson, and other friends from their neighborhood in the surrounding hills of Bullion Canyon where the acquired his early interest in geology.
Lou moved with his Mother and sister to her hometown of Circleville after his Dad, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, had to move to Arizona for his health. Lou continued his schooling in Circleville where he met two boys in his grade; Lou, Lindon Romine, and Dee Whittaker, and the three became life-long friends. As they grew, the three shared many adventures together in school, work and play.
While attending Piute High School, Lou excelled in music. He was a member of the band and chorus and had leading roles in musicals. He had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed preforming. This was a talent that brought great joy to him and to those who heard him throughout his life.
After graduating from Piute High School in Circleville in 1958 the three went in different directions. Lou passed up a good scholarship to University of Utah to join the Navy to obtain education in electronics. Following basic training he was sent to Virginia Beach in Virginia where he was transferred to the new field of computers; so new, that no rankings had been established for those seamen. In time and with many hours of classes and much advancement in their training, Lou was given the rank of Chief Petty Officer – at the time he was the youngest Chief Petty Officer in the Navy.
During his training he was sent to the Great Lakes Training Center and while there he met Caryl Driesch and they were married June 12, 1965. They lived in Virginia Beach where Lou was stationed for the 10 years he was in the Navy.
Following the Navy Lou and Caryl lived for a while in Salt Lake City where Lou took some classes at University of Utah. During their time in Utah, their daughter Cynthia Lynn was born. Lou was hired by Digital Equipment Corporation (DCU) and sent to California for training while Caryl and Cyndie returned temporarily to Minneapolis.
After the training the Nay family moved to Massachusetts, the home of DCU where Lou worked in Middle Management. They lived in Framingham, where their son Richard James was born, and also Hudson, Upton and Wayland. Later Caryl and Lou divorced and Caryl and the children returned to Minnesota while he stayed on working for DCU.
In 1980, Lou continuing his love of music, joined the Northborough Area Chorus under the Direction of Anthony Volpe. It was there that he met Merrilyn (Merry) Glew who also sang in the tenor section. Their friendship grew and they were married July 6th, 1985. They lived in Shrewsbury where Lou was introduced to household pets which were very important to them both. A big wonderful dog, German Shepherd/Golden Retriever aptly named “Trouble” quickly became his favorite.
Shortly after Lou’s retirement in 2001 they moved to his native Utah, driving across the States with 2 dogs and 2 cats to New Harmony where they rented while getting their house built. They both loved their views (not so fond of the wind). They loved off road ATV riding, hiking and the beautiful scenery of their surrounding area. They joined the church choir and Lou joined the local volunteer Fire Department where he enjoyed the camaraderie of the other firemen. Their social life was built around those men and their wives. The distance from other family members have made visits scarce, but very much appreciated.
Lou touched many lives in his lifetime with his quiet demeanor and musical abilities and will be greatly missed.
Funeral Service
- Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Kanarraville Ward Chapel (80 South Main, Kanarraville, Utah).
- A viewing will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at the Church.
- Interment will be in the New Harmony Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.
Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com. Please share with us how he touched your lives.