Paul Vernon Nolan, M.D., 85, of Signal Mountain, died on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Alexian Village Health Care Center from liver failure.
He was the son of the late A.V. and Ellen Nolan; and was preceded in death by his daughter, Lou Anne Harrelson.
Born in Bladenboro, N.C., the Nolan family lived in several places in western North Carolina during his youth. He was a graduate of Mars Hill Junior College and also the two-year medical program at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Dr. Nolan earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland. During WWII he served in the U.S. Navy at Camp LeJeune, N.C., and then served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.
While in the Air Force, he earned his Master's of Public Health degree at the University of California, Berkley. Later he served as a Preventive Medicine Officer in the Tactical Air Command at Langley Field, Va.
He also practiced family medicine in King's Mountain, N.C. for several years.
The Nolan family moved to Signal Mountain in 1959 when Paul became medical director for E.I. DuPont of Chattanooga.
Dr. Nolan's life was focused on public education. Nolan Elementary School on Signal Mountain was named in his honor. He served 12 years on the Hamilton County Quarterly Court, one term in the Tennessee Legislature, and 16 years on the Hamilton County Commission.
He recently remarked that he had loved every phase of his life, that he treasured the many friends made along the way, and was thankful for the doctors and caregivers who attended to him.
Paul and Anne met while serving on the staff at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly in North Carolina. They have been members of several Baptist churches where they have lived. Dr. Nolan was named a Life Deacon at Signal Mountain Baptist Church, where he and Anne have been active for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Anne Lewis Nolan; two sons, Thomas Lewis Nolan, East Ridge, and John Andrew (Kathie) Nolan, P.A., Dunlap, Tn.; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Gold, Shelby, N.C.; and son-in-law, Steve Harrelson, Signal Mountain.
At his request, his body was to be an anatomical gift to the Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Signal Mountain Baptist Church, 939 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain, Tn. 37377, or to a favorite charity.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 South Moore Road.