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Thomas Nolen Obituary
JULY 6, 1930 - NOV 15, 2011
Thomas J. Nolen, 81, died peacefully at his residence in Oakdale on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. He was born in Hatfield, PA. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Freiler, and his second wife, Sherry Bautista. Thomas served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Thomas graduated from West Chester State with a Bachelor's degree while playing football and baseball in 1958. He received a Master's degree from Temple University in 1962. Thomas was a school teacher and coach at Manteca & East Union High School. He was a volunteer Football coach at U.O.P. under Chester Caddas & Bob Cope.
He is survived by his son, Michael (Marina); a sister, Florence of Sumneytown, PA. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Elizabeth and seven siblings, Edwin, John, Wilbur, Richard, Robert, and sister Gertrude.
Interment will take place in Hatfield, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.williamsbergeykoffel.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Nolen
Tom Phillips-Heiser
December 16, 2011
I remember like it was last week. My drivers Ed teacher in the classroom only from 1982 @ East Union High. Rest in peace Mr. Nolen...
Roger Gill
November 25, 2011
Mr. Nolan. The very last of the "old school" teachers. He always gave and demanded respect and took guff from no student. I will never forget his driving lessons. He told me that he would give me a prize if I could manage to parallel park correctly. When I finally did, he gave me an apple! Prayers to his family in this very sad time.
David Correia
November 24, 2011
Mr. Nolan I remember as a stern but fair man. I remember he did not take any -/:;$ from students who did not follow the rules and of course my drivers Ed teacher. R.I.P.
Rosemary Sandoval-Norton
November 24, 2011
This man loved by all. He was my drivers ed teacher. I remember getting in the car going down Highway 99. He got out told me to get in drivers side and drive. I was in shock. I was going 80mph and he asked me "Are we going somewhere i don't know about". He told me slow down and enjoy life. Doing that til this day...In my prayers Mr. Nolan
November 24, 2011
He was a great man. Always fair no matter what nationality you were. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers coach Nolan.
Martinez Family
julie jose
November 24, 2011
from a former student, i shall never forget your courage putting up with us as teenagers. ...my prayers are with you and your family. God bless you.
Thomas Nolen
November 24, 2011
Heck of a Coach and a very good friend! 1967-1971 EUHS Thomas Wayne Nolen
Terri Holmes-Machado
November 24, 2011
He made East Union Baseball what it is today!! A great man will be missed!
Bill Poindexter
November 23, 2011
I had Coach Nolen for driver education in the fall of 1973. He was a great teacher and a fine man and solid coach. From the time I entered the journalism trade shortly after graduating from East Union, he would always greet me with, "Well, what are you going to write about today there, scribe?" He was a friend to my dad and, like me, a teacher and coach to my two older brothers. We'll never forget him.
Leo Holzer
November 23, 2011
I'll never forget Coach Nolen's driver's training class and behind-the-wheel instruction in 1977. He even took me out in his own manual transmission car, since I really needed practice with shifting gears. A BRAVE MAN, and a veteran to boot. Not surprised to learn he was a Koren War vet.
Red Asphalt and Coach Nolan ... an unforgettable pair.
My pairs go out to his surviving family and freinds. God bless.
Randy Price
November 23, 2011
I had the pleasure to have been in Mr. Nolan's State Requirements/Driver's Ed.Class, as well as in one P.E. class. He had already become a legend to us by 1978. The things I saw and stories I can share are all about a man's man that didn't worry about what the administration thought. He was fair, just, and sometimes downright entertaining. I know of no student that didn't really like Coach Nolan. He remains on my short list of teachers that inspired me to become the teacher and coach I am today. My prayers go out to his family. May our memories bring smiles to your lives, as his smile did to ours.
Sondra (Dean) Thornton
November 23, 2011
I am a former student from East Union High, class of 1971. I am saddened to hear of Coach Nolen's passing. May God Bless and comfort his family through this difficult time. Wishing you peace,
rhonda galindo
November 23, 2011
God bless his family. He was an awesome teacher; had him back in the 80's at East Union
Roy D. Sandoval
November 23, 2011
Mr. Nolan was straight shooter and I appreciated all his knowledge and wisdom he gave me as a teacher and coach at East Union High School. My condolences to his son and family.
November 23, 2011
I played baseball at WCTC from 1956 to 1959 and had very fond memories of Tom coaching third base and waving players home...He had some very good glib comments when he was coaching...We had some exceptionally good baseball teams at this time...Even though it has been over 50 years ago I still have memories of him as it were yesterday....My sincere sympathy to his family...Jon Ford
Kathy Garcia
November 23, 2011
I remember Mr. Nolen fondly. I was a student at East Union 1973-1977 and had him for Health/Sex Ed and Driver's Ed. He had an intimidating, no-nonsense persona, but once you looked beyond that you found a teacher who really cared about shaping us into being our best and cared about students. One of things I appreciated the most about him was his keen sense of humor, that and his fairness. He had and still has my respect. My sincere condolences to his son and sister and all of his family. They don't make 'em like Mr. Nolen anymore.
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