Noel Philip Tugwell Jr.'s Obituary
Noel Philip Tugwell, Jr. was born February 27, 1933 in Levelland, Texas to Noel Philip Tugwell, Sr., and Louise Aletha Brooks Tugwell. He passed away on October 20, 2021 in Fayetteville, AR. Phil lived in West Texas most of his early years, then moved with his family to Donaldson, AR, where he graduated from Ouachita High School in 1951. He worked as a logger briefly before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1953.
Stationed at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. he used flight simulators to teach pilots and was honorably discharged in 1958. He attended Arkansas A & M in Monticello on the G.I. Bill, and played varsity football. making All-AIC in 1956.
Phil worked for the Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska for three summers tasked with protecting commercial fisheries from poachers. He loved the unspoiled beauty of Alaska and always considered it one of the best times in his life.
He received a Master’s Degree at the U of A, and met the love of his life, Ramona Marie Stubblefield there. They married in 1960. Phil completed a PHD at LSU, then returned to Fayetteville in 1966 and became a Professor in the Entomology Department. He served the University as a teacher & cotton/rice pest researcher for 36 years. During this time, he helped numerous students complete their advanced degrees. During 1986-1990, Phil & Ramona enjoyed traveling to Russellville to watch their son Noel play football at AR Tech University and were enthusiastic supporters during Noel and Lori’s years working in Haiti with an orphanage & feeding program. Phil was a member of the 1999 COTMAN Team that received awards for a pest management computer program still in use today.
Phil retired in 2002. He enjoyed the outdoors, being a grandad, reading, attending Bible Study Fellowship, going on 2 mission trips to Central America, attending a weekly Retired Entomologist breakfast with former coworkers, helping others with handyman jobs, playing golf with friends, and walking. He and a buddy also attended lots of Razorback games.
Philip is survived by his wife, Ramona Tugwell, of the home. His sister, Carolyn Boyer, of Krum, TX, daughter Tracey McCartney and Ray of Fayetteville, son Noel Tugwell, and Lori, of Siloam Springs, daughter, Heather Williams, and Randy,of Fayetteville and 7 grandchildren: Micah McCartney, Anna Scarbrough & Jordan, Matt McCartney, & Andrea, and Louis, Lily, Silas, & Esther Tugwell.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Saturday October 23, 2021 at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville with burial to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to Titustask.com or mail to Titus Task, P.O. Box 1234, Searcy, Arkansas 72145 or University of Arkansas Foundation, Attention Elizabeth Tipton: [email protected]
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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