Vernon "Chris" Nyvall

Vernon CHRIS Nyvall, DDS, passed unexpectedly on September 8, 2024, surrounded by family, friends, and love. Chris was born in Kilgore, Texas to Vernon and Doris Nyvall. He is survived by his wife Jody Sutton Nyvall, daughter and son-in-law Marisa Estelle and Derrick Ross, son Kyle Vernon Nyvall, grandchildren Kian Maguire, Nicole Ross, and Zackary Ross; sister Cherryle Formby, Nyvall brothers Victor, Mark and Ernie, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Chris had a special relationship with his sister-in-law Donna Judd. Listing friends individually is impossible, but know he treasured you all.

Chris lived from birth until college in Kilgore. He often told of how his mother was the music teacher in elementary school, then followed him to junior high AND high school. Voted Mr. Kilgore High School, he was outstanding in academics as well as multiple sports.

After a year at Kilgore Junior College, he transferred to Austin College in Sherman, Texas. While his primary focus was sports, he did somehow find time to study and was in the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. Chris belonged to the Beta Chi Omega fraternity, creating lifelong friends and memories. And now back to sports! When Chris was a junior and his brother, Vic, a sophomore at Northwestern State, they were #1 and #2 in the nation in punt returns. Who was #1 and who was #2 depended on which brother was talking. A multiple year football letterman, he received ALL NAIA District 8 honors as defensive back. An excellent catcher, he also lettered in baseball multiple years and was scouted by a major league baseball team. Chris was named to the Topps District 7 NAIA All-Star baseball team in 1969. Additionally, he was IFC Chairman (68-69), President A Association (67-68), and winner of the Pete Cawthon Trophy (68-69). In 2001, Chris was inducted into the Austin College ‘Roos Athletics Hall of Honor.

A masters degree from Stephen F. Austin University followed before he chose to pursue dentistry. Upon graduation from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston, Chris was sent to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Jody, a young 2nd Lieutenant at the hospital, was thrilled to capture the heart of this very handsome, kind, thoughtful, and funny eligible bachelor. Chris was such a talented dentist and hard worker that he received the coveted Meritorious Service Medal after just two and one half years on active duty.

“Dr Chris” established a thriving solo dental practice in Spanaway, Wa.

He was well known for his excellent dentistry and warm, caring chairside manner. Ever generous and compassionate, he and his staff completed 13 dental mission trips to Guaymas, Mexico, providing some people with their first ever dental care, free. Chris was a great boss and remained close to many former staff members.

Chris loved travel and visited all 7 continents. He often cruised with Jody, her sister and her mother under the guise of an “adopted daughter”. Domestically, he loved male bonding road trips with Bob Braddock, Bill Bickers and Calvin Hewitt.

As the only one of his siblings to move out of Texas, he returned frequently to visit family, for Kilgore High School reunions, for the fiftieth reunion of his Austin College football team, and for several reunions with his Beta Chi Omega fraternity brothers.

Chris believed in giving back to the community and was an active participant in many endeavors. He served as President of the Parkland Spanaway Kiwanis Club, proudly claiming 30+ years perfect attendance, and being honored as a George F Hixon Fellow. Pierce County and Washingtonian State Dental Societies, Christ Community Baptist Church, and the Puyallup Daffodil Society all benefited from his contributions.

Chris played tennis for 25+ years at the Lakewood Racquet Club, boasting that Roger Federer never once returned his serve. When health issues ended his tennis, he crossed over to the dark side and became a pickleball fanatic.

Post retirement, Chris increased his interest in woodworking and added glass mosaics to his repertoire. His professional level work is now displayed in numerous friends’ homes and around the Point Ruston property. Moving to the Copperline Condominiums in 2015, he found a new “family” of loving neighbors. There he enjoyed weekly bridge games, coffees and happy hours. And let’s not forget his many, many, many happy hours in the shop!

Chris and Jody became snowbirds in 2019, buying into the Silver Sands tennis community in Palm Desert, CA. Rapidly fitting in, Chris made more new dear friends and served as President of the Homeowners Association. The only drawback to this new environment, from Jody’s perspective, was that it inspired Chris to recycle hundreds of his old jokes and puns. Everywhere he went, Chris brought joy to peoples’ lives.

Chris Nyvall was the absolute best husband and family man, beloved dentist, talented woodworker and glass artist, comedian, athlete, and so much more. Absent from the body, his spirit soars.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting either:

Beta Chi Omega Scholarship at Austin College

www.austincollege.edu/giving

Select “Other” designation and specify Beta Chi Omega Scholarship

Or send check to

Gillian Locke/Austin College Advancement

900 N Grand Ave, Suite 6G

Sherman, TX 75090

Or

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