Joseph Arnold Nutter, 79, of Joshua Tree, died Nov. 28, 2008, at home after a struggle with lung cancer. Mr. Nutter was born July 15, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of the late Joseph and Lillian Nutter. He enlisted in the Navy Sept. 21, 1948, and served four years as a naval musician. He served in the Pacific in the Korean War as a radio operator. Mr. Nutter worked for the telephone company and an aerospace company. After retiring, he played his horns for the remainder of his life. An accomplished musician, he played the flute, saxophone, bass and clarinet. He led the Tops Trio and Joe Nutter's Sophisticated Swing band for over 20 years in the Coachella Valley and Hi-Desert areas. Mr. Nutter is survived by his wife, Mary I. Nutter, of Joshua Tree; two sons, Eric J. Nutter and Craig A. Nutter; two daughters, Lynne C. Sommers and Debbie L. DeRoo; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.