Gary Clinton Nolan

Gary lost his parents at a young age and spent some time in the foster care system. One of the families was the O’Neal’s of Boulder Creek. He was inspired by the time he spent with that family to tell his social worker that he wanted an adoptive family that went to church.

In 1972, when he was 8 and a half years old he was blessed by being adopted by Bob and Marilyn Nolan. He joined his new parents and brother Nick in Corcoran California. They later adopted his sister Brenda. They were a family that went to church and raised Gary to know and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

The day that Bob and Marilyn brought Gary home was the same day that Bob brought home his newly upholstered 1938 Chevrolet coupe. That event inspired a life long interest in cars of various types, including the 1938 copper colored Chevrolet coupe that he drove in high school and a series of Corvettes, including the 1968 project car and the 2008 Corvette convertible that he currently owned. He loved to shop the internet to help friends and family find special cars. He was especially proud that he had helped his dad find a 1954 Corvette and a Factory Five GTM.

He served in the Air Force. He was stationed at Lackland in Texas, Vandenburg in California and Comiso in Sicily. He left the Air Force as a sergeant.

He married Deeann in 1992. He accepted her daughter Amy as the daughter of his heart. Gary and Deeann moved to North Fork California in 2006. They found a church home at Hillside Baptist Church where Gary eventually became an elder. Every time Gary opened or conducted a service, he would talk about the plan of salvation. Jesus was paramount in his life and he wanted others to have that same joy and security.

He was active in car clubs throughout his life serving as president, vice-president or events coordinator for various clubs. He served on the board of the Western States Corvette Council as public relations director.

He had a variety of jobs. His favorites were delivering motor homes, including a trip across Canada to Alaska and his final job as a shuttle bus driver in Yosemite National Park. He drove park visitors to Mariposa Big Trees or Glacier Point. He loved to share stories about the park with visitors.

He will be remembered for many things:

His hospitality. He loved to welcome people into his home for a meal he had prepared. The meals could range from a classic chili dogs and frito boat lunch to a fondue dinner to a Thanksgiving feast. He loved to tweak recipes and make them his own.

His love of animals. He loved dogs especially collies.

His love of travel. Gary had traveled through much of the continental United States. If he could find a car show, he would happily collect a long distance award. He wanted to travel to Sicily again to show his wife the area around Comiso where he had served in the Air Force, including Mount Etna.

His sense of humor and love of fun. He always had a joke and a smile.

His desire to encourage others. Gary wanted everyone to be a better version of themselves. He loved to make people smile with a random, sincere compliment.

His love of photography. During his travels and in the local area, Gary captured many memorable images. He loved to photograph wild life especially the elephant seals at Piedras Blancos and the wild horses in the Reno area.

His generosity. Gary was always ready to help someone out. He also loved to play Santa Claus.

His love of the outdoors. Gary loved to take people to Manzanita Lake to learn to kayak. He had taught all of his grand kids and many others to kayak. He also loved to golf.

His compassion. Gary helped to provide end of life care for two of his grandparents and his mother-in-law. Because of his devotion and care they were able to pass comfortably at home surrounded by loving family members.

His wife remembers him as her hero and her best friend. His sincere belief was that the best marriages were based on love and friendship.

He is survived by his wife Deeann Nolan, daughter Amy Espinoza and husband Jose, his grandchildren, Hailee Espinoza, Seth Espinoza and Faith Espinoza, his parents Bob and Marilyn Nolan, his sister Brenda Bos and her children Tyler Nolan and Dannielle Bos and grandchild TJ Nolan, his brother Nick Nolan and his children Christopher Nolan and Savanah Nolan and grandchild Beau Nolan. As an adult Gary was fortunate to meet biological family, brother Donald Smith, brother Jayson Ayers, sister Leighsa Ayers Kellerher and aunt Garnet Ayers Batinovich.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to:

Hillside Baptist Church (Shoe Giveaway)

Po Box 706

North Fork ca 93643

Or the USO

Services will be:

August 12 at 11:00 am at Hillside Baptist Church 55238 Road 200 North Fork CA 93643

Reception to follow.