John Eugene Nolan

Ret. USN Commander John Eugene Nolan, 94, of Summerville, SC, loving husband of Gail McLeod Nolan, passed away Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Graveside funeral services with full military honors will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary St., Beaufort, SC 29902. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of one's choice, to Dorchester Paws, or to plant a tree.

John was born on October 22, 1931, in Mahanoy City, PA, the son of the late John Anthony and Mary Waack Nolan. John loved Navy Football and tailgating. Graduating from the USNA: Class of '57, Company 11. John Nolan graduated as "The Most Improved." He loved playing golf and tennis with his wife, Gail, in their spare time. They were both loyal SPHS Marching Band parents & chaperones on trips all over the USA & Canada. They loved to travel and see the world together. They both traveled the world with their daughter, Tricia, during her college years at The University of London, UK, Elon, & NC State & years that followed.

Our family traveled together every year until later during Tricia & Ed's high school years. We visited our extended families 2 or more times every year. The Nolan, West, Rice & McLeod families. We love our extended family. John & Gail Nolan made sure we knew and will always love our wonderful family. This included very close family friends. Our chosen military families are loved by all of us.

John loved to read. He was a self-taught historian as well as a mathematician. He loved talking about politics. John enjoyed the company of all of his dogs over the years. John was a basketball player & a coach for both his son & Grandson. He spent as much time as he could with his best buddy, Grandson, Christopher Nolan. John & Gail also attended all of McLeod's horse shows, art exhibits, and her sports. He loved teasing & making them laugh.

John had a long and distinguished career in the United States Navy. From his days at the United States Naval Academy to the many duty stations he served, including Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Charleston, SC, Honolulu, Hawaii & Arlington: Pentagon/Crystal City, VA. John rose through the ranks in the Navy and retired as a commander. He turned down his promotion to Captain to become the Assistant City Treasurer of Annapolis, MD. The Commander & Gail adopted over 50 USNA Midshipmen over a 15-year history.

In addition to his wife of 66 loving years, Gail of Summerville, SC, John leaves behind his daughter, Tricia Erin Nolan-Keenan and her husband Timothy F. Keenan of Summerville, SC; son, John Edward Nolan and his wife Brenda Meade-Nolan of St. Augustine, FL;  Brother, Edward Joseph Nolan of Mahanoy, PA; Grandchildren: Christopher Nolan and his fiancé Kayla Ann Petty and McLeod Keenan aka Micky; Future Great Grandchild Henley. John was predeceased by his parents, John Anthony and Mary Christine Waack Nolan; Sister, Marie Theresa Nolan West; his brothers-in-law, Eugene Edgar West and Francis Clay Rice; and his sisters-in-law, Brucie MacLeod Rice and Florence Marie Kenvin Nolan.

The family will gather after the service at Morgan Creek Grill, 100 Marina Drive, St. Helena Island, SC 29920.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 W. 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com.

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