Lewis "Buzz" Nolan's Obituary
Lewis Earle “Buzz” Nolan, 74, longtime resident of Memphis, TN, passed away on May 7, 2018. He was born in Wichita Falls, Texas but spent most of childhood in Sacramento, CA as one of three sons to the late Dr. Lewis Earle Nolan, a World War II Veteran, and the late Garnett Elizabeth (Ford) Nolan.He was educated in Sacramento public schools and went on to attend Sacramento State where he swam competitively, the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. Lewis honorably served in the U.S. Marines from 1967-1969 where one of his duties was newspaper editor at Marine Corps Base Quantico. He met his college sweetheart Betty (Trapp) Nolan of Philadelphia, MS at East Central Community College, and they married on June 7, 1968.His professional career as a journalist began while attending graduate school at Mississippi State where he worked as a reporter for The Commercial Appeal in Columbus, MS. Lewis covered the civil rights movement and other local news in Columbus, Starkville and West Point, MS. Lewis and Betty relocated to Memphis in 1970 where he worked for The Commercial Appeal for 15 years. Covering local and regional news with a wide range of topics from an Elvis concert to politics, he left the newspaper as its Business Editor before joining pharmaceutical firm Schering-Plough (now known as Merck & Co.). Lewis was Vice President of Communications where he led the Memphis-based team on strategic communications, government relations and community outreach. He retired from Schering-Plough and joined Guardsmark as an executive and then consultant before retiring permanently to enjoy his hobbies of golf, genealogical research, writing, reading, volunteering, traveling and spending time with family.Lewis’ passion for writing never stopped. He published two volumes of the Nolan-Miller Family History book which can be found in the National Archives. One of his quotes about the book was: “This history is the story of America – how one family came into the U.S. They weren’t rich and famous people, just a sturdy, salt-of-the-earth bunch.” His travel journals, both countless written ones and an online blog, documented Betty and his journeys to destinations both new and old, from close destinations such as Gulf Shores, AL to their favorite spot of Dingle, Ireland.Lewis served on numerous boards and community organizations. He was active in the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the National Ornamental Metal Museum where he was Trustee Emeritus, the Dean’s Advisory Board at Mississippi State University and the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center. He was a man of faith who had led his Bible class at Evergreen Presbyterian Church and regularly attended Buntyn Presbyterian Church.Lewis is survived by his beloved wife Betty; his only son Casey Lewis Earle Nolan of Arlington, VA; his daughter in-law Caroline Cardon Nolan; his identical twin grandsons Carden Lewis and Aiden Mayer and grandson Hudson Wade; and his younger brothers William “Bill” Nolan and Patrick “Pat” Nolan of Sacramento. Lewis enjoyed numerous pet dogs over the years and adopted greyhound Annie will miss him.The family will receive friends from 9:00 – 10:00 AM on Monday May 14th with the service led by Rev. Dr. Stacy Smith to immediately follow at 10:00 AM at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery (https://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/) (5688 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN). Memorial gifts in Lewis’ memory can be made to the following recommended local charities: The National Ornamental Metal Museum (https://www.metalmuseum.org/) at 374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106; or Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Option (http://www.msgao.org/) at 1550 N. Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, AR 72301.
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