On Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, America lost another member of the Greatest Generation. Emil Nasser passed away on his 95th birthday, surrounded by family and friends in Flagstaff. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, son Daniel, daughter Ellen, grandchildren April, Tara, Michael, James, Staci and Cole, and great-grandson Paolo. Achieving his 95th birthday was the last goal he set for himself, and he made it. Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, 1600 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff. Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. with Funeral Mass to follow at 11 a.m. Military honors will conclude services in Flagstaff immediately following Mass. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St, in Phoenix.
Born Dec. 9, 1921, in Napoleonville, La., his family soon moved to Miami, Ariz., where he graduated from high school in 1939. He attended Arizona Normal School (NAU) until leaving to enlist in the military.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1942, and was part of the China Burma India campaign (CBI). He was assigned to help establish a new airbase in India from which pilots flew over the Himalayan Mountains, “The Hump”, to resupply the U.S. military forces in China and Burma. He was awarded the Presidential Citation, the Air Medal and many other medals during his military service.
After leaving the military in September 1945, Nasser returned to Arizona State College (NAU), where he played many sports while completing his master’s degree. He was signed to play pro football by the Los Angeles Dons, but accepted the job of head football coach in Winslow instead. He was to remain there for the rest of his career, dedicating his life to educating kids not only in the classroom, but about life.
Nasser was instrumental in building the track and football field complex at Winslow High School which now bears his name. He managed the public pool in Winslow and the various swimming classes that taught thousands of kids to swim. He was also responsible for the racial integration of the swimming pool.
He was recently honored by the Arizona Coaches Association for being an early proponent of the “No Pass, No Play” rule, because education was the most important goal he wanted kids to achieve.
Nasser’s legendary storytelling and ability to recall faces, names and dates throughout his life amazed people. He remembered everyone and could recall events in great detail.
Nasser was the head coach of the Winslow Bulldogs from 1947 to 1983. The Bulldogs were state champions in 1948, 1949 and 1964. Nasser came out of retirement from 1999 through 2002 to coach both at Winslow and Joseph City. The Joseph City teams were state champions in 1999 and 2002, and were runners-up in 2001. Coach Nasser won 300 games and 20+ conference championships during his coaching career.
Among the Hall of Fame awards Nasser received are induction into the Arizona Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and the NAU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. He was in the first group inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall Of Fame in 1984 and the first coach from Arizona inducted into the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996. Nasser was inducted into the Arizona Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 and the City of Flagstaff Hall of Fame 2013.
Emil Nasser inspired and touched lives in many more memorable ways than just sports.
In lieu of flowers, family has suggested that donations be made to any youth charity/organization in Emil Nasser’s honor.
Norvel Owens Mortuary of Flagstaff was in charge of the arrangements.
