Whittle: 'Dude' cut a wide swath

By DAN WHITTLE

WOODBURY – Former Cannon County Executive/Woodbury Mayor Nolan “Dude” Northcutt cut a wide swath through life.

He lived a century to achieve his goals, being born March 20, 1914 at Huntsville, Ala.

“Mr. Northcutt died at his home, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday (June 2, 2014),” confirmed a spokesman at Smith Funeral Home where visitations with family were held last Thursday, followed by a “Celebration of Life Service” in the old sanctuary of Woodbury Church of Christ.

From being an orphan at age 10 to being elected to his community’s highest political offices was the public servant trail of Mr. Northcutt’s remarkable life that spanned more than a century.

Mr. Northcutt reached a personal milestone last March 20 when an entire region of people packed the Arts Center of Cannon County in celebration of the man’s 100th birthday.

“Being the great-great grandson of Revolutionary War soldier Francis Northcutt, who was here when Cannon County was first formed in the early 1800s, it was in Dude’s genetic lineage to weave a wide tapestry of community-service accomplishments,” confirmed Woodbury Mayor Harold Patrick.

“No other former Cannon County executive, except Mr. Dude Northcutt, lived to be 100 years old,” added County Executive Mike Gannon.

Mr. Northcutt’s public servant credits go far past paid elective office status!

Having joined the Woodbury Lions Club in 1949, he was that organization’s longest tenured member.

“Dude missed his first meeting of the Lions Club just recently, due to age and failing health,” shared Bill Smith, at age 95. “He was a few years ahead of me longer in service to the Lions, where he was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellow in 1989 … the highest achievement in Lions.”

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Northcutt asked that donations be made in his memory to the Woodbury Lions Club and Alive Hospice.

“Even in his passing, Mr. Dude is reaching back to help others, instead of wanting flowers,” Patrick said.

“Mr. Dude was Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department’s first fire truck driver and chief back in the 1936,” accounted Patrick. “That was before he was elected to the Woodbury City Council for eight years, and then he served as mayor from 1967 to 1977.”