Funeral services for Mr. Edward "Al" Alton Nugent, age 86 of Ruston, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, LA with Rev. Joseph Fowler officiating. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery in Simsboro, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Al was born on April 10, 1939 in Olla, LA to Edward Earl Nugent and Annie Lou Mitchell Nugent and passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025 in Fayetteville, AR. Al lived a storied life, and he could really carry on a conversation. Al had many tales of special moments with his family, who he dearly loved. There were tales of his years in the U.S. Navy, serving years 1957 through 1961; his experiences as an airplane pilot and flight instructor; his adventures in the outdoors and growing up in his childhood home near Olla, LA; stories of his travels; and his years of service as a Police Officer for the Ruston Police Department, from which he retired as Captain and Lead Detective. He had numerous trophies for his fast-draw firearms prowess, for which others gave him the handle "Top-Gun".

Al was a Christian of strong faith and a member of Cook Baptist Church in Ruston. Al was recently recognized as Chaplain Emeritus of the USS Waldron. He cared deeply for all who have served their country, and as well as for law officers across all our nation. Al always put others first and he freely performed many random acts of kindness such as mowing lawns for widows; cleaning cemeteries and placing flowers; serving in the honor guard for service veterans both near and far; and he was quick to give words of encouragement to those in need.  A slogan, based on Romans 16:19, may best describe the advice Al might leave to us all:  "Be excellent at what is good and be innocent of evil."  Al was a friend to all and will be greatly missed by everyone.

Al was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Glenn Nugent; infant daughter, Elizabeth Aliene Nugent; and son, Eric Alan Nugent. Those left to treasure his memories include his children, Edward A. Nugent, Jr., Aliece and husband Carl Knighten of West Monroe, LA, Beth and husband Jason Vaughan of Canon City, CO, and Shelby and husband Chad Rocker of Duncanville, TX; grandchildren, Adrianne Garner, Trey Knighten and wife Emily, Cara and husband Bradley Brown, Ashley Pace, April Nugent, Ethan Nugent, Jenna Nugent, Jena and husband Mark Weir, Jacob Green, Brianna and husband Tylor Morgan, Duncan Nugent, Colleen Nugent, Joshua Rocker and Sarah Rocker; 14 great grandchildren; sisters, Pat and husband Harold Carlton of New Braunfels, TX and Linda and husband Glen Hamilton of Keller, TX; brother, Ernest Nugent and wife Kris of Denham Springs, LA; his companion, Martha Estes; and a host of other family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be officers of The Ruston Police Department. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Knighten, Trey Knighten, Jason Vaughan, Bradley Brown, Chad Rocker, Mark Weir, and Ethan Nugent.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time, Thursday, at Cook Baptist Church located at 2000 Cooktown Road, Ruston, LA. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit: www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com