Texas Man's Obituary Blames Trump, Governor Abbott for COVID-19 Death

An obituary penned by the family of a Texas man who died in late July from complications tied to coronavirus took direct aim at "selfish people" refusing to wear masks and President Donald Trump for refusing to "take this pandemic seriously."

David W. Nagy, of Jefferson, Texas, died at age 79 late last month, leaving behind his "inconsolable wife" Stacey, five children and several grandchildren, according to his obituary published in the local Jefferson Jimplecute newspaper. The obituary described how Nagy "suffered greatly from the ravages of the COVID-19 virus," before quickly changing tone and blaming others for his death. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, Trump and other "ignorant" people were listed as partially responsible for not treating the coronavirus pandemic with seriousness.

The obituary ridiculed so-called anti-maskers for refusing to wear protective facial coverings during the pandemic, which "kill[ed] innocent people," including Nagy.

"Family members believe David's death was needless," his wife, Stacey Nagy, wrote in the July 30 obituary, which has since been shared in thousands of screenshots on social media. "They blame his death on Trump, Abbott, and all the politicians who did not take this pandemic seriously and were more concerned with their popularity and votes than lives."

"Also to blame are the many ignorant, self centered and selfish people who refused to follow the advice of the medical professionals, believing their 'right' not to wear a mask was more important than killing innocent people," the obituary continued. "David did everything he was supposed to do, but you did not. Shame on all of you, and may Karma find you all!"

Newsweek reached out to members of the family through Facebook and also to Governor Abbott's office for reactions Tuesday morning but did not hear back before publication.

Nagy died in the ICU at Christus Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview, Texas on July 22. According to his family, he was born on November 7, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah, before spending most of his life in California and finally retiring to North Texas.

"I was angry at the situation and the way people are talking and treating the pandemic, the way people act like this is nothing," Stacey, 72, said in an interview with The Washington Post Tuesday. "It's because of their carelessness, and because of our politicians not getting control of this thing is why so many people are dying. I was just very, very angry. That's why I wrote it and I meant everything I said in it."

Nagy's wife told the Post she was angered that coronavirus cases re-emerged in many states and she felt obliged to use her husband's last public message as a means for change.