Roll Call Tribute

Jeffrey C. Nieland
January 3, 1946 ~ March 6, 2022

Jeffrey Charles Nieland of Lago Vista, Texas, known as Dr. Jeff/Aggie Nieland/Dad Jeff, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at the age of 76 in the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home in Temple, Texas.

Jeff was born January 3, 1946 in Greenville, Texas, the son of Clifton and Louella Nieland. After high school, Jeff was drafted into the Air Force but first attended Texas A&M University where he graduated in 1968. His love of the Aggie Spirit shown through his infectious personality, always the first to tell a joke, helped others, and knew no strangers. While attending the university he so loved he was Commanding Officer Squadron 6, Ross Volunteers Firing Squad, Wings and Sabers, and Chief instructor of the Karate Club. His love for Aggie traditions and martial arts shaped the rest of his life.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Jeff competed dental school at the Texas University Dental Branch in Houston, Texas, and soon after graduation Jeff was deployed to U-tapao, Thailand where he served two and a half tours during the Vietnam War. During his time in Thailand Jeff started the Smile Project and served the local residents with free dental care, and was the last physician to evacuate at the end of the war.

Jeff spent 40 years practicing dentistry in the Lago Vista/Cedar Park, Texas area. He always had a joke to share with others to help ease their anxiety while either in the dental chair, in the seat next to him on a plane or in a stadium, and made sure to make others feel included and special. He had many amazing friends, patients, and served these communities with honor and dignity. Jeff was one of the founding fathers of Jai Yen Yen in San Antonio, Texas, and had earned his 8th degree black belt. He loved skiing, Boy Scouts (he earned his Eagle Scout as a young man,) and was the proud pappa of so many different types of animals (horses, birds, cats, and his treasures – his puppies.) Jeff was a lifelong student of seeking knowledge and learning new things, and believed in sharing what he learned with others with passion.

In 2003, Jeff married his wife, Cindy Nieland, and spent the next 18 years helping raise his two stepsons whom he loved and was extremely proud of. In his last days, he spoke of the many trips and activities they had shared and what the boys had brought to his life. Jeff spoke in great detail of being ready to see his beloved animals, his grandfather and mother again, and being the prankster of angels in heaven. Jeff was incredibly loving, extremely independent, and fun spirited, and will be greatly missed by many.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Clifton Nieland, his mother, Louella Smith Nieland, his grandparents, Mary and Charles Nieland and Leon Smith and Bonnie Bell Askins Smith, his uncles David Nieland, and Paul Nieland, and very best friend from college, James ‘Jim’ Butler.

Jeff left behind his adoring wife Cindy, two stepsons Taylor Loyd and Dayton Loyd, brother, Tom Nieland and wife Maureen Nieland, brother Andy Nieland and wife Lashara Nieland, two nephews Zach Nieland and wife Melissa Nieland and children, and Zane Nieland and wife Jennifer Nieland and children, and many great nieces and nephews, mother-in-law Fran Holland, brother-in law, Frank Holland and his two children Heidi and Dayton, and sister-in-law, Cheryl Fitzpatrick and her two children Alec and Alyssa.

Jeff’s final wish was not to have the traditional memorial service, but rather a celebration of life. He felt strongly that he did not want others to dwell on a death of a body, but to remember the spirit in which they lived. The family will hold the celebration of life during the summertime with close family and friends. Anyone who would like to share a fond memory with the family may do so by sending them to PO Box 1615, Cedar Park, Texas 78630.

Until we meet again… Gig’Em Aggies! And beat the hell out of TU??