Father Nutter’s Life Celebrated

Father Jack Nutter was remembered not only for his love of life, unwavering devotion to others and a strong sense of loyalty but most importantly for his love of God during his Funeral Mass celebrated Sept. 18 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.

Born Aug. 26, 1950, Father Nutter died Sept. 10 in Denham Springs at the age of 71. 

Father Jerry Martin, pastor at St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville, mixed humor with his own reflections in a moving homily that took those in attendance from laughter to tears. Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated the Mass, which was  concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Robert W. Muench and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, a New Roads native and the bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. 

The soft-spoken Father Martin recalled how nine years ago a survey was sent to all priests in the Diocese of Baton Rouge asking them to list their specifications for their funeral ceremony, including the readings, celebrants, music and who would deliver the homily. Establishing that foundation, Father Martin said Father Nutter had three allergies, the first being to time.

“In Jack’s mind time was nothing other than a human concept that had no bearing on life whatsoever,” Father Martin said, which drew laughter. “The second was to phone calls. If Jack Nutter ever returned one of your phone calls you know you are a privileged person.”

He said Father Nutter’s third allergy was to paperwork. 

“I can prove to you that Jack never completed that paperwork survey because had Jack done so there is no way in the world he would have designated me to give this funeral reflection because he knew I knew too many stories,” he said.

He reflected on his friend who had varied interests, including a love of the Indianapolis 500, which he first attended in 1984 and continued to make what he called his “annual ritual” to the famed track.

“I was not so specifically into auto racing prior to traveling up to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time but a group of guys invited  me,” Father Nutter told The Catholic Commentator in a 2014 interview. “I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Father Nutter also rode a Harley-Davidson and once went on a 5,000-mile motorcycle trip with Father Paul McDuffie, pastor at St. Joseph Church in Ponchatoula. He was also a member of “The Heartbreak Hotel” band in the early 1970s, which included, among others, Father Jeff Bayhi, pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary. The band played oldies music, which Father Nutter loved.  

“I think we would have a difficult time to pick out the things we love about Jack the most because I’m sure it would take the rest of the weekend,” Father Martin  said before identifying the four things he loved most about Father Nutter.

“The first is his sense of loyalty as a friend,” he said. “He may have an allergy about phone calls but in your message if you let Jack know you really needed him then he would indeed get back in touch with you. Where there was need there was Jack.”

He said his second was Father Nutter’s overwhelming friendliness, saying he never met a stranger or ever met anyone that he did not welcome into his heart. Father Martin also talked about how Father Nutter was so unassuming that one did not have to win his friendship 

“Jack was so self-accepting he was able to accept all others,” Father Martin said.

But what he loved most about his beloved friend “was his faith.” He recalled Father Nutter’s love of “almighty God and God’s almighty love for Jack.”

“Jack was a reflection and instrument of God’s love and God’s grace.”

Bishop Fabre said Father Nutter was “a special person,” recalling how Father Nutter delayed his ordination date three months to Aug. 5, 1989  so he and Bishop Fabre could be ordained together.

“It was my honor to be ordained with him,” Bishop Fabre said. “I never forgot that.”

 Bishop Muench said he first met Father Nutter when Father Nutter was a student at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. 

“From the first time I ever met Jack to the last time I ever saw him he had the brightest smile on his face of any human being I have ever known,” he said. “That smile was so welcoming and so defining of who Jack was, is and will be.

“When we remember him, with tears from passing into eternal life because of our immediate loss, may we remember him by that wonderfully welcoming smile always on his face.”

Bishop Duca said he did not have the opportunity to know Father Nutter well but knew he was a beautiful priest who was loyal and always helping. 

“We give him back to God and we thank him for the gifts he has given to us and hopefully pass along to others,” Bishop Duca said. 

Father Nutter served in several parishes throughout the diocese, including at St. Helena Church in Amite for 14 years. 

Father Nutter is survived by his brother Tim Nutter (Melanie); sisters  Leslie Nutter and Bridget Nutter Wolfe (David); niece Emilie Nutter; and nephews Nicholas Nutter, Adam Planche and Martin Planche. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas J. Nutter Jr. and Mary Lois Keefe Nutter as well as his sister, Tricia Nutter Planche.

“Lord, thank you for calling Jack to your heavenly kingdom, Lord, thank you for placing Jack in such a loving family and thank you for placing Jack Nutter in my life,” Father Martin said. “We now have to say goodbye to Jack’s physical presence but let us realize the very love and goodness to almighty God that he reflected to us is meant to be with us always.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Father Jack’s memory to be sent to St. Joseph Seminary College, 75376 River Rd, St. Benedict, LA 70457 or Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70195.