Francis Ronald Nagy Jr.

Rev. Francis Ronald Nagy, Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 94 in his hometown of Worthington, Ohio on September 21, 2025. Fran entered the world on April 3, 1931 in New Jersey, the only son of Rev. Francis (Frank) Nagy, Sr., and Mary Kish.

In 2019, Fran lost his loving wife of 63 years, M. Dolores (Dee) Nagy (née Humes). But he continued to enjoy loving and being loved by his surviving family, including 3 children (Mary Lynn (Zack), Brian and John), 6 grandchildren (Christopher and Andreas Zack, Rebecca Winter (née Zack), Benedict Nagy, Jesse Allison and Grace Nagy) and four great-grandchildren (David and Lily Zack, Anton and Ella Winter), along with Dee's sister, Marcella Marie Humes of North Canton, Ohio."

Fran devoted his life to God and humanity while maintaining a deep interest in the workings of Creation as revealed by science and history. After graduating from McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, Fran attended the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where he graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He then moved to McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago where he earned the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1956 and was ordained as minister in the Presbyterian Church immediately thereafter. In 1979, Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi, conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa.

The summer after his ordination he served as Chaplain in Grand Teton National Park before being called to Taylor, Michigan as founding Pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church. When Southminster was well-established and healthy, Fran transitioned to a Synod position leading new church development in Michigan. Following reorganization of the synods, Fran moved to the Synod of the Covenant based in Columbus, Ohio, where he eventually became Associate Executive. In 1985, he accepted a position as Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley in Central Ohio. He retired from this post in March 1996, shortly after helping develop the Dublin Presbyterian Church in Dublin, Ohio, where he worshiped after retirement.

Throughout his life, and especially in retirement, Fran devoted himself to experiencing and understanding the Creation. He dearly loved to travel, especially to natural places, providing his family with life-defining experiences in Nature. Throughout his life he studied physics, especially quantum theories and cosmology, geology, biology, history and theology. His life-long love of reading and learning remained with him through his very last days. But Fran’s spirit was not simply confined to his mind. He was a two-sport athlete—football and basketball—at McKinley High School and the College of Wooster and remained athletic throughout his life. During his ministry and into retirement, Fran frequently unwound, socialized and competed on the golf course. In fact, to say that he was an “avid” golfer falls far short of the mark; he played into his 90s.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to organizations that Fran cherished: the Dublin Presbyterian Church, the Sierra Club and the Defenders of Wildlife.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.