Last updated on July 31, 2020
James Nathan Nolley, age 88 of Garland, Texas, passed away July 27, 2020. Private funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2020 at Rest Haven Funeral Home – Rowlett Chapel with Reverend Angela Stone-Campbell officiating. Preceding the funeral, a viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Nolley was born January 14, 1932, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Henry Wilburn and Effie May (Hawthorne) Nolley. He was raised in a close-knit family of seven brothers and sisters in Provencal, Louisiana; as a boy, he enjoyed farming, fishing and hunting and was devoted to his horse. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Nolley struck out on his own in Dallas to work for the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and served his country in Korea. Upon returning to the Dallas area, Mr. Nolley attended Arlington State College and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Nolley relocated to Jacksboro, Texas to enter the oil sector. He went on to manage rigs in Iran, Peru, Pakistan, Algeria and Israel for nearly the next three decades. It was in Peru that Mr. Nolley met the love of his life, Maria Teresa Echegaray. They were married in 1977 and were blessed with two children.
Later in life, Mr. Nolley took pride in being a devoted father and good neighbor. He greatly enjoyed golf; gardening; cooking; visiting his large network of friends and family in East Texas and Northern Louisiana; and teaching his children about livestock, agriculture and science. Mr. Nolley was an honorable man and a patriot who extoled the virtues of the United States, believed strongly in the value of hard work and education and supported women in professional leadership roles. He did not hesitate to help anyone he could, even at great inconvenience or expense to himself. Mr. Nolley was a man that never met a stranger and always had a friendly word and a smile for those with whom he came in contact.
Mr. Nolley is survived by his children, James Nolley of Austin and Jacqueline Nolley and husband Brett Gerstein of Washington, DC; grandchildren June and Jesse Nolley and Tabitha Gerstein; and siblings John Nolley of Dallas, Joanne Nolley of Jonesboro, Louisiana and Jerry Nolley of Magnolia, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his siblings: Jimmie Sue Delacerda, Janice Watley and Jesse Nolley.
The family would like to extend their thanks and deep appreciation to Tina Lott of Caring with Grace for her support as a Care Manager and to the staff of the Third Floor Skilled Nursing Wing at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home in Dallas for the exceptional care they provided to Mr. Nolley during the final years of his life.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Monday, August 3, 2020, at Rest Haven Funeral Home – Rowlett Location with Pastor Angela Campbell officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:00 am. Observing Dallas County regulations, social distancing will be observed and face masks will be required during the funeral. The chapel will accommodate 40 guests, and the service will be livestreamed. The web link can be obtained from the family. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery will follow.
