John Anthony Nunes, MD

Obituary

John Anthony Nunes, MD passed away on January 29, 2024 at the age of 66 after a hard-fought, five-year battle with cancer.John was born on April 21, 1957 as the oldest son of John Richard Nunes and Lena Jane Arlotta in San Jose, California. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory followed by Santa Clara University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then attended medical school at Georgetown University where he received the prestigious Kober Award, presented to the medical student with the highest overall academic record. Embracing his Jesuit education, John was truly a “man for others.” He married Ann Beechie in 1977, who he was with for 25 years, and had two children, Nicole Marie in 1979 and John Nathaniel in 1982.John became a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force and completed his medical residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lackland Air Force Base Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The family then moved to Bitburg Air Force Base, Germany, and as a member of the 525th Fighter Squadron, the “Bulldogs,” John enjoyed the occasional F-15 flight and attained the rank of Major.Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1990, John entered private practice in Federal Way, Washington, before moving to ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton, California. In his 35 years of clinical practice, he delivered thousands of babies into the world and performed countless lifesaving surgeries.In 2008, John moved to Powell Butte, Oregon with Barbara Newman, and the two later married. They were together for seven years. John’s professional ambitions turned to hospital administration, spanning over 12 years and including the roles of Chief Safety and Quality Officer and Chief Medical Officer at St. Charles Health System and HCA Healthcare. John enjoyed mentoring fellow physicians and was an unwavering advocate for patient safety, speaking across the country on the topic.John was an incredible golfer and enjoyed time on the course with his family and friends, particularly at Spanish Bay. He loved weekend roadtrips along the California coast, especially when spent with his longtime partner Gina Teeples. He had a lifelong passion for fast cars and enjoyed a spirited drive both on and off the track. He was an unapologetic creature of habit, whether dining at the same sushi restaurant for decades or always ordering a Lemon Drop when the occasion called for a cocktail. He was sure to love any movie in which the leading man delivers a rousing speech. He possessed a charismatic confidence and a quick wit, commanding board rooms and game nights with equal ease. John’s dedication to medicine, strength of character, and sense of humor has left a lasting impact on his family, friends, colleagues, and patients.John was predeceased by his father, John Richard Nunes. He is survived by his mother Lena Jane Nunes, partner Gina Teeples, son John Nathaniel Nunes, daughter Nicole Marie (Nunes) Murray, grandchildren Katherine Anne and Andrew John Murray, siblings Mary Jane (Nunes) Temple, Sam Nunes, and Ann Marie (Nunes) Randolph.