Capt Jon Jay Mcnutt, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)

CAPT Jon Jay McNutt, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired), 79, of Meadville, passed away January 13, 2020, in Meadville, PA, following an extended battle with Parkinson’s.

Jon was born in Meadville, PA, on September 15, 1940, son of William Wayne and Mary Elizabeth Weaver McNutt.  He married Sandra Lou Polson on January 10, 1963, and she preceded him in death on November 2, 1991.

He attended Neason Hill Elementary School and was a 1958 graduate of Meadville High School.  After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.  Jon retired in July 1992 from Coast Guard Support Center, Governors Island, New York, upon completion of a 33 ½ year career.  CAPT McNutt served on five Coast Guard cutters and numerous shore stations (including tours in Alaska and Hawaii) and was commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter RED BEECH, Governors Island, New York and the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN Transmitting Station, Attu Island, Alaska.  During his military service he attended night schools and was awarded an Associate of Arts from the Regents of the External Degree Program of the State of New York; a Bachelor of Arts in Management with Honors from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri; a Master of Arts in Management with Honors from Webster University, and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University with Honors. CAPT McNutt’s post-secondary education was completed entirely through night school during off-duty hours; he never took an “on-campus” course while obtaining his degrees.

CAPT McNutt enlisted in the Coast Guard in January 1959 and was advanced six times during his enlisted service.  After entering the Coast Guard as a Seaman Recruit, his initial tours of duty were afloat in Honolulu, Hawaii aboard the Coast Guard Cutters WINNEBAGO and BASSWOOD.  While an enlisted member stationed at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., then Petty Officer Second Class McNutt served in the Great Rotunda of the Capitol Building as a member of the watch during the State Funeral of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.  As a member of the Joint Services Body-bearing Team during the State Funeral of former President Herbert Hoover, he carried the former President in ceremonies in New York and Washington, D.C.  He also accompanied the funeral detail to West Branch, Iowa, and was part of the interment ceremonies.  Additional duties included participation as a Body-bearing Team Member for the Washington Cathedral funeral services of Ambassador to Great Britain Adlai Stevenson.

In 1966 he was advanced to Petty Officer First Class and was selected to attend Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned an Ensign in June 1966.  After completing the service-wide examination, he subsequently was advanced in his former enlisted specialty to Chief Petty Officer, while serving as an Ensign.  His commissioned service saw him promoted five times, to LTJG, LT, LCDR, CDR and ultimately to the rank of Captain (O-6).

His ashore commissioned service was involved with Coast Guard administration and personnel management and included duties in the management of the civilian arm of the U.S. Coast , the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.  He served as Director of the Auxiliary of the Second Coast Guard District, St. Louis, Missouri; and the First Coast Guard District Southern Region, New York, New York. CAPT McNutt’s final active duty tour saw him coordinating Coast Guard shore side activities in New York, New York during OPSAIL 92, at the time the largest concentration of Tall Sailing Ships ever gathered.  This activity commemorated the 500th Anniversary of the Columbus Voyage of 1492.

During his career CAPT McNutt was awarded three Coast Guard Commendation medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals (one with Operational Distinguishing Device), Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal with 2 Stars, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon, Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon with Star, Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation Ribbon, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, Coast Guard Rifle Marksman Ribbon and Coast Guard Pistol Marksman Ribbon.  He also was awarded the Coast Guard Cutterman Insignia for his sea duty and the Coast Guard Command Afloat and Coast Guard Command Ashore Insignia.

He enjoyed travel, casino gaming, fishing, deer hunting and 35mm photography.  His deer hunting took him to five different states and he especially enjoyed success on Long Mountain near West Point, New York in the Lower Hudson Valley.  His travels took him to 47 of the 50 states; he was a Kentucky Colonel and a long-time member of The Domain of the Golden Dragon.

CAPT McNutt was awarded Life Membership in the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association and was an associate member of the VFW Post 2006 Meadville, and a member of the American Legion Post 205, Saegertown.  Additionally, he was a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America.  He did volunteer work for the American Cancer Society, Meadville, and the Meadville RSVP and Wesbury Retirement Community.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Lou Polson McNutt of Lakewood, Ohio; granddaughter Lauren Jay Barnes and great-granddaughter Avery Barnes of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brother, Joel W. McNutt and his parents, William W. and Mary Elizabeth Weaver McNutt.

Survivors include two daughters, Karen Elizabeth DeGuzman of Chesapeake, Virginia and grandchildren Kelly Rose Englund and Eric Jaymes (Brooke) and great grandchildren Braden Jaymes and Ellie Grace Englund; and Katherine Elaine McDaniel (Tanner) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and grandchildren James Jeffrey and Cassandra Elizabeth Barnes, and Ryan Eugene and Sean Patrick McDaniel.  CAPT McNutt has 3 sets of twins among his seven grandchildren.  Additional survivors include a brother, James C. McNutt; a sister, Karen Lee Schroyer, and nieces and nephews.

There will be no viewing or local services, per his wishes.  Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia, with full military honors on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.  The family will share that information as soon as it is available. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org)

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net