Benjamin O. Nolan

Ben was born January 20, 1920 in Harlan, KY to Benjamin O. and Elizabeth Nolan. He spent 7 years in Florida then moved to CA in 1929. As a young adult, Ben began working for Arden Farms (a creamery) when he joined the Navy during W.W. II. After the war, Ben returned to Arden as a salesman and was promoted to manager of the Bakersfield plant from 1952-1964. He was promoted to General Manager of the ice cream division in Arden's Los Angles plant, where he stayed for 3 years until being promoted to Vice President of the company's Alaska operation. Yes, Ben thought selling ice cream to Eskom's was a winning proposition and apparently he was right, as Ben with his wife Lillian spent 12 wonderful and exciting years in Anchorage with Arden.
Upon their retirement, Ben and Lil returned to Bakersfield and rejoined their golfing friends. In short order, Ben became bored and took a job in the golf shop at Kern City Golf Course (Sundale County Club today), again for only a minute until he was asked and accepted the General Manager position. Subsequently a restaurant (Tavern by the Green) was opened at the Golf Course and Ben was asked to manage that as well, which he did until his second retirement. Ben and Lil were also longtime members of Stockdale County Club. For over 50 years Ben was a member of the Masonic Order, Al Malaikah Shriners and Bakersfield Scottish Rite. He was likewise a longtime member of the Rotary Club in both Anchorage and Bakersfield. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother Philip, his beloved wife Lillian and at 94 years of age, by virtually all of his contemporaries.
He is survived by his daughters Sherri Peterson and Nikki Smith, grandchildren Kelly O'Tillery and Brett Haberkern (Donna), and his only great grandchild Nathan Haberkern, nephew Pat Nolan, MD and nice Kim Nolan.
Memorial will be held on March 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93309 and officiated by Pastor Al Roundtree.