SPRINGDALE — Noel Philip Tugwell, Jr.

was born February 27, 1933, in Levelland, Texas, to Noel Philip Tugwell, Sr., and Louise Aletha Brooks Tugwell. He passed away on October 20, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. Phil lived in West Texas most of his early years, then moved with his family to Donaldson, Ark., where he graduated from Ouachita High School in 1951. He worked as a logger briefly before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1953.

Stationed at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala. he used flight simulators to teach pilots and was honorably discharged in 1958. He attended Arkansas A&M in Monticello on the G.I. Bill, and played varsity football. making AllAIC in 1956.

Phil worked for the Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska for three summers tasked with protecting commercial fisheries from poachers. He loved the unspoiled beauty of Alaska and always considered it one of the best times in his life.

He received a Master’s Degree at the U of A, and met the love of his life, Ramona Marie Stubblefield there. They married in 1960. Phil completed a Ph. D at LSU, then returned to Fayetteville in 1966 and became a professor in the Entomology Department. He served the University as a teacher and cotton/rice pest researcher for 36 years. During this time, he helped numerous students complete their advanced degrees. During 1986-1990, Phil and Ramona enjoyed traveling to Russellville to watch their son Noel play football at Arkansas Tech University and were enthusiastic supporters during Noel and Lori’s years working in Haiti with an orphanage & feeding program. Phil was a member of the 1999 COTMAN Team that received awards for a pest management computer program still in use today.

Phil retired in 2002. He enjoyed the outdoors, being a grandad, reading, attending Bible Study Fellowship, going on two mission trips to Central America, attending a weekly Retired Entomologist breakfast with former coworkers, helping others with handyman jobs, playing golf with friends, and walking. He and a buddy also attended lots of Razorback games.

Philip is survived by his wife, Ramona Tugwell, of the home; his sister, Carolyn Boyer, of Krum, Texas; daughter, Tracey McCartney and Ray of Fayetteville; son, Noel Tugwell and Lori, of Siloam Springs; daughter, Heather Williams, and Randy, of Fayetteville; and seven grandchildren, Micah McCartney, Anna Scarbrough and Jordan, Matt McCartney, and Andrea, and Louis, Lily, Silas, and Esther Tugwell.

Funeral service will be 1 p. m. Saturday October 23, 2021, at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville with burial to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to Titustask.com or mail to Titus Task, P.O. Box 1234, Searcy, Ark. 72145 or University of Arkansas Foundation, Attention Elizabeth Tipton: INFO@UAFOUND.ORG

To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com