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<p><em>Donald Warren Nagel</em> was born in Cincinnati, OH, the first of five children to Don and Marilyn Nagel. Don attended Fairfield High School in Fairfield, OH, where he was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. In his senior year he was selected as one of the tri-captains of the football team, along with his two best friends, Gary Wagner and Jim Tankersley. Although he loved sports, he joked about being the best bench warmer on the basketball team. But that didn’t stop him from being a star at both football and baseball. </p>
<p>Because of Don’s academic grades, excellent sports ability and good character, his football coach encouraged him to apply to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was successful at getting an appointment and was admitted with the Class of 1969. Don had the honor of being the first graduate of his high school to attend West Point. He was assigned to Company E-3 (and later H-3), was on the <em>Howitzer </em>yearbook staff all four years, and was promoted to the rank of cadet lieutenant his senior year. During his junior year at West Point, Don was introduced to Janet Anne Cernik by his classmate Joseph Casillo. Later, their first date was at the ring hop for Don’s class. The couple married in West Point’s Catholic Chapel following Don’s graduation. Don was commissioned a second lieutenant in Field Artillery and attended the branch’s basic course in Lawton, OK. </p>
<p>His first assignment was to the 2nd of the 41st Field Artillery Regiment in Bad Kissingen, Germany, along with West Point classmates John Peters and Terry Freeman. Don was eventually promoted to company commander. He and Janet welcomed their son, Christian, in November 1970 and their daughter, Heather, in January 1972 (both born in Wurzburg, Germany). </p>
<p>Following three years of duty in Germany, Don was assigned to Camp Casey, Korea on an unaccompanied tour. After returning home, Don enjoyed describing how cold the temperatures were in Korea. “If you think this is cold, you haven’t been through a winter in Korea” was a phrase he repeated often. </p>
<p>His last military assignment was with the Liaison Office at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, and it was from here that Don separated from the Army. He was hired by Corning Glass as a process engineer in Wilmington, NC, where he and Janet bought their first home. After only a year and a half, a company-wide layoff made it necessary to seek new employment. Don was very amiable and found work in corporate sales. He was adept at communicating in a persuasive and polished manner and was hired by American Hospital Supply. </p>
<p>The family moved to South Florida, where their third child, Jennifer “Tessa,” was born in February 1976. Florida life was enjoyable until Don had a need for reconstructive surgery of his biliary system. By this time, his company was purchased by Baxter International, a major healthcare company. After recuperating, Don was assigned a sales territory in St. Louis, MO. His performance with Baxter was exceptional, which led to a strong professional reputation, career advancement, and multiple awards during his many years with Baxter. </p>
<p>After 30 years together, his marriage ended and Don moved from Chesterfield, MO in St. Louis County to the rural town of Robertsville, MO. In his new home on a lake, Don continued to explore an interest that had begun in high school, collecting LP records. By the time he left Germany with his prized German-engineered sound equipment, his collection had grown significantly, and his brother-in-law, Doug Krause, built him a sturdier cabinet to support the weight. It was amazing how much information Don had acquired about the rock music that he loved. He could tell you who the original members of a group were, who were the replacements, and which member left to start their own band or went on to pursue a solo career. Obscure, rock and roll music facts were a fun, hidden talent that paid off if you were on his team during trivia night. </p>
<p>As important as his record collection was, it took a back seat to the passion he had for his sports memorabilia. The accumulated items could fill a small warehouse, and he was knowledgeable about everything in it. Some years after moving to Robertsville, Don met and married his second wife, Mary Nail, a widow with a grown son, Mike. Don and Mary were together for 10 years before their marriage ended. Nevertheless, Don, Mary, Janet and even Janet’s second husband, Colonel Greg Broaddus (U.S. Army, Retired), remained on very friendly terms for the years that followed. This approach prioritized cooperation and mutual respect because all cared about each other. A new chapter of Don’s life began when Christian’s daughter, Solana, was born in 2021, and the little girl brought sunshine into her grandpa’s life.</p>
<p>In later years, Don was diagnosed with dementia and most recently suffered from an aggressive brain tumor. He lost his battle surrounded by his children. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Brian. He is survived by his three loving children; his beloved granddaughter; his sister Cindy Krause (Doug); brother Craig (Jan); brother Scott (Gigi); his former spouses, nieces, nephews and many friends. </p>
<p><em>— Janet Broaddus, Ex-spouse and Mother of His Children</em></p>
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