Ed Nolen

Ed Nolen, 89, of Knoxville, TN, a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 17, 2015 at Tennova Residential Hospice. He was born January 5, 1926 in Nashville, TN and graduated from West End High School in 1944. Upon graduation he was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps. The first flight of his life was as a Tail Gunner of a B24. After he was honorably discharged, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He married the love of his life Elizabeth Faye Nolen on September 28, 1946. They have lived a love story since she was 15 and he, 16. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Business, he took his first job at Chavannes Lumber Company. In 1958 he founded Nolen Products, Inc. which specializes in architectural woodwork and millwork. In 1965 he joined the Rotary Club and later went on to serve as President from 1982-1983. He served as Treasurer of the AWI (Architectural Woodwork Institute) from 1972-1974 and as President from 1982-1983. He retired from Nolen Products, Inc. in 1991. He was a member of Smithwood Baptist Church. Ed loved the Lord and was a good and faithful servant. He left all who knew him a legacy of kindness, compassion, strength of character and a love of Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents; Porter Edward Nolen and Lillian Shaw, Great Grandson Zane Bruhin, and Grandson Matthew Cooper. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Elizabeth Faye Nolen, Children; Linda (Gregg) Rieth, Ken (Judy) Nolen, Karen (late Dennis) Cooper, Pam Nolen, and Richard (Lindsay) Nolen. Grandchildren; James Rieth, Natalie (John) Bruhin, Steve Rieth, Jennifer (Brien) Stewart, Michael Nolen, Robert Nolen, Emily Nolen and Kaylie Nolen. Great Grandchildren; John N. (Susie) Bruhin, Noah Bruhin, Caiden and Dylan Cooper, Taylor, Conner and Bryce Stewart, Eric, Caiden, Kolbe and Keyton Rieth. Honorary family members and caregivers; Sonya Cox and Sharon Dabney. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Tennova Residential Hospice for their kindness and a special thank you to Leonard Hobart at Tennova North for his compassion and nursing care. Family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel. The family and friends will meet at 12:45 pm Wednesday July 22, 2015, at Greenwood Cemetery for a 1:00 pm graveside service with Dr. David Crutchley and Dr. Mark Gaskins officiating. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or to Samaritans Purse Ministry at Samaritanspurse.org. Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Ed Nolen

January 5, 1926 - July 17, 2015