Bobby Dennis Nolan

Bobby Dennis Nolan, 80 passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Monday, December 13, 2021.  He was born on May 30, 1941, to James Clyde and Jessie Rose Harber Nolan in Albany, Kentucky.  He loved to tell people, “I was born in the hills of Kentucky, raised in Arkansas, served my country in Maine, but chose Lake Charles, LA to raise my family.”

Bob graduated from Gould, Arkansas High School in 1960.  He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force immediately after high school, and served honorably for four years at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. Upon his discharge, he moved back to Arkansas where he attended The University of Arkansas at Monticello, and then Phillips University in Enid, OK, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1974. During his time at and in-between college, he completed flight school, earning his pilot’s license, whereupon he became a flight instructor, and taught prospective pilots for five years.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, he moved to Booneville, AR with his family (wife Darlene and sons Eric and Shane) where he was the business administrator at Booneville Human Development Center (formerly MRDDS) until 1979.

In 1979, he moved to Lake Charles, LA and purchased Prien Lake Exxon, which he owned and operated until 1984. At that time, he purchased University Exxon on the corner of Ryan St. and Sale Rd., which he owned and operated until the end of 2005.

Bob never met a stranger. He had a magnetic personality and was able to find humor in everything.  He loved to have fun and had a “larger than life” character. He was a savvy businessman, knowing when to separate fun and business. 

Bob was an active member and a deacon at Sale Street Baptist Church. He was a devout Christian who loved to evangelize, telling everyone he could about his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a true American Patriot as well. Above all, he loved his family, and especially cherished every moment spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are, his beloved wife of 54 years, Norma Darlene Turney Nolan; his sons, Eric B Nolan (Lori) of Tulsa, OK and Robert “Shane” Nolan (Dawn) of Lake Charles, LA; his brother, Clifford Newton Nolan of Gould, AR; his grandchildren, Lauren Mackenzie Nolan Chesnut (Caleb) of Fayettville, AR, Zane Alexander Nolan of Tulsa, OK, Abigail Khristine Nolan and Gregor Stewart Nolan, both of Lake Charles, LA.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Edward Knox Noland (half brother), Billy Rogers Noland, James Paris Nolan, and Flavel Glen Noland; and his sisters, Mary Dimple Daugherty and Toni Ann Noland.

His traditional funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Sale Street Baptist Church. Tim Robles will officiate. Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in the Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery located at 1501 W Maryland Ave, North Little Rock, AR 72120. Visitation will be at the church on Monday morning, December 20, 2021 from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at 2:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to a veteran’s organization of donor’s choice, i.e. Wounded Warriors, Purple Heart Homes, etc… or to a Christian church or charity of choice.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.