Cliff Nagy

Cliff Nagy

1977-2024

Cliff Nagy was born Oct. 19, 1977 (the same year that “Star Wars: A New Hope” was released, something he was quick to point out!).

He was chosen and adopted into his forever family in September 1981. He ended his life’s journey here on June 9, 2024.

From his time in utero through his early years in the foster care system, the cards were stacked against Cliff. He had to overcome obstacles and hurdles from beginning to end. Yet, he went further and shone brighter in spite of these daunting odds.

He graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1996, where he found fulfillment in theater and ROTC. Then, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Later, his work as a security professional became a key part of his identity. This role proved to be the one in which he was most comfortable during these last 25 years. He lived out much of his adult life in Las Vegas, Nev.

Cliff was resilient. His life bore evidence that he was both optimistic and hopeful, although his temperament wouldn’t be described as either. He always had a plan and could visualize a way forward from what he considered a temporary situation. Such plans sometimes went unrealized or were derailed by misfortune, but they were modified regularly and these gave him aim and purpose.

Humans are a curious jumble of dichotomies, and Cliff was no exception. He was a stringent law-abider, but also suspicious of authority. He could both nurse a grudge for decades, yet graciously extend forgiveness when asked. He was politically very conservative, but a true libertarian in his personal life.

He remained current with culture and entertainment, but he was extremely loyal to the books, bands and movies he loved from the 1990s. In a sense, they were an anchor for him.

He was fiercely patriotic and pro-military, yet, reluctant to embrace the discipline and structure of the service for himself. Cliff was shaped by years of painful bullying, but he never bought into the lies associated with these attacks.

In fact, he was rarely influenced by what others thought he should think or do. He followed his own code strictly. He was opinionated and had deep convictions on a wide range of topics.

Cliff was a man of routines and had many embedded habits surrounding his food, clothing and free time. He had an incredible memory and was very well read, which made him formidable at certain categories in trivia or “Jeopardy.” He laughed easily and loved comedy and humor.

While we can be grateful for these glimpses of who he was, he resisted letting himself be known deeply, thus leaving many unanswered questions. There is much comfort, though, that he was made in the image of a loving God who knew him through and through.

He will be greatly missed, and leaves behind an immediate and extended family that loves him. We grieve what might have been, but never was and what was, but is no more.

Cliff is survived by his father, Tom Nagy; and his siblings, Michael (Sylvia) Nagy, Matthew (Stacy) Nagy and Nicole (Brad) Bratcher.

A celebration of life will take place on family property in July.