John William Nagel, Sr.

John William Nagel, age 81, went to a beautiful life in Heaven on his birthday, September 11, 2025, after having lived an incredible life of love and family. John was born September 11, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of the late William Taylor and Rita Prendergast Nagel.

John grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and attended Notre Dame High School where he was quarterback of the football team and an actor in school plays. He attended Belmont Abbey and Guilford College before beginning his career in Real Estate and Homebuilding; first working for Kavanaugh Smith Company in Greensboro and later Westminster Company where he served as Vice President for many years in Winston Salem. He was dedicated to his work and often expressed how honored he was to have helped so many families achieve the important step of home ownership. Later in his career he owned Century 21 Prime Properties where he continued the important work of helping families find home ownership and encouraged new realtors in their careers. He held a Broker’s License for 57 years and he received the Realtor Emeritus Status from the Winston Salem Association of Realtors after 40 years.

John was even more devoted to his own family as a loving husband and father. He loved celebrating all sorts of special occasions with a meal and heartfelt blessing with as many family members in attendance as possible. Everyone including friends and family looked forward to his masterful storytelling which often chronicled feats and triumphs of the past with sentiment and laughter. Often these tales involved cherished memories of his parents, the honor of serving Mass as an altar boy at St. Pius X, mischief with his brothers, the gift of lifelong friends, business associates, and all the adventure and humor one can imagine.

Summer vacation meant a completely packed station wagon full of family, coppertone, and Motown or Elvis 8 track tapes headed for a weeklong beach trip to Ocean Drive or Holden Beach. Each day was filled with fishing, golf, go-kart races and wildly competitive card games of canasta, gin and poker. He made sure everybody played!

John was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 449 for nearly 60 years. He looked forward to playing cards there with his friends and playing golf in the weekly rounds or fundraising tournaments every year.

Although he was full of enthusiasm for celebrations, he was equally as serious about expecting responsible behavior and good grades in school from his son and daughters. He urged everyone to always “do the right thing” in all circumstances. He encouraged competition and athleticism and loved attending baseball games at Winston Salem National or Bishop McGuinness, soccer matches at Whitaker School and coaching in Optimist League for several seasons. He knew all the family friends, and they knew him. His garage has served as a landing zone for visitors for 53 years and has welcomed infinite loved ones.

Sometimes referred to as ‘Big John’ or Mr. Nagel, he was known by many in Winston Salem from the employees of the grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants he frequented to the friends he met along the way. Although he could be stern and strong willed at times, he was also the most caring and kindhearted person anyone could ever meet. One of his most endearing habits was the way he gave loved one’s special nicknames. It wasn’t unusual at all for him to refer to Chrissybelle, the Giants, Catrina, Moose or Mosquito, Bennyboy, Lucas, Gigi or Banana.

Whether it was Impala, Caprice, or Caprice Classic Brougham, he always drove large Chevrolet sedans with 350 intercept engines like the State Troopers used to drive with his arm resting on an open window. Most recently he drove the big red Silverado truck which was recognizable to everyone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Thomas Hampton and brothers, Sam Nagel and Conrad Nagel.

John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Marus Nagel of the home; and his children and their families: Rita Morgan of Winston-Salem, NC and her daughters, Martha Morgan of Winston-Salem, NC and Sarah Kate Morgan of Winston-Salem, NC; John Nagel Jr. and his wife, Teresa Nagel of Winston-Salem, NC and their daughters, Anna Nagel of Winston-Salem, NC and Emma Nagel of Winston-Salem, NC; Chrissy Hampton and her husband, Tracy Hampton of Colfax, NC and their sons, William Hampton of Colfax, NC and Matthew Hampton of Colfax, NC; Cathy Pearce and her husband, Keith Pearce of Wilson, NC and their children, Luke Pearce and fiancé, Grace Frary of Bellevue, WA, Benjamin Pearce of Wilson, NC, and Olivia Pearce of Atlantic Beach, NC. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Nagel and his wife, Carol Nagel of Colfax, NC.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church with Fr. Peter Rusciolelli officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages anyone who wishes to donate in memory of John to consider his favorite charity of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family of Mr. Nagel.