Nolan G. McKenzie

Nolan G. McKenzie Nolan G. McKenzie, age 99, of Topeka, Kansas, died at home December 6, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born July 31, 1918 to John A. and Helen King McKenzie of Solomon, Kansas. The youngest of five siblings, he grew up on the family farm and attended Solomon public schools. In 1941 he graduated with a B.S. degree from Kansas State University and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. On July 1, 1941, he was ordered to active duty as a chemical warfare officer. While at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, on March 24, 1943 he married Lois E. Watson, an Army nurse from Oak Lawn, Illinois. Soon afterwards Nolan was transferred to Air Force flight training becoming a B-24 heavy bomber pilot and Lois entered air evacuation service in Europe. They remained separated for the duration of the war, including nine weeks when Lois was missing behind enemy lines in Albania with a group of flight-evacuation nurses.

During World War II Nolan attained the rank of Captain and flew B-24 bombers as part of the 376th bombardment group of the 15th Air Force, flying missions throughout the European theater. His awards included the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Nolan received his Master's Degree from Kansas State University in 1947. Nolan began a 20-year career in consumer finance in Mission, Kansas and settled with Lois in Topeka, Kansas in 1951, where they raised three children. In 1970 Nolan became a securities broker, retiring in 1991 from Kemper Securities, now part of Wells Fargo Financial Advisors.

After the death of his wife Lois in 1991, Nolan reconnected with life long friend Jean Greenough Pierce. Like Nolan, Jean was from Solomon, Kansas and graduated from Kansas State University. Nolan and Jean married November 27, 1993. They spent many happy years together, traveling extensively and attending Kansas State football games.

Nolan was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Elks Club, Solomon Masons Lodge 105, and the Arab Shrine. His passions in later years were Kansas State football and several bridge playing groups.

In addition to his first wife Lois, Nolan was preceded in death by brothers Donald and John, sisters Mary and Ruth, daughter Paula McKenzie, and step son Bill Pierce. Nolan is survived by his wife Jean; daughter, Phyllis McKenzie (Peter Maher), San Antonio, Texas; son, Scott McKenzie (Susie), Topeka; step daughter Nancy Pierce (Richard Famiglietti), Weston, Florida; step son Robert Pierce, Wichita; nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Nolan was cremated. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 11 at First Presbyterian Church, Topeka, Kansas. Nolan will be interred at Prairie Mound Cemetery, Solomon, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to a charity of the donor's choice.