JR Nolen Jr.

J.R. Nolen, Jr., an Army Veteran and longtime resident of Springfield, Virginia, passed away on September 5, 2024, after a one-year battle with cancer. J.R. was preceded in death by his parents, J.R. (Jack) and Jean (Margret), and his son Nathan. J.R. is survived by Tina his wife of 47 years, son Jared and grandson Cameron, all of Springfield; his brother Don and his sisters Jan Tabor (Roger) of Marietta, Ohio, and Sabrina Kerhin (Tom) of St. Mary’s, Georgia. Born July 24, 1955, in Marietta, Ohio, he was a graduate of Marietta High School, followed by Fairmont State College (BS), and Saint John’s University (MA). LTC(R) J.R. Nolen, Jr. served on active duty in the United States Army and Army National Guard for 21 years. As a young soldier, J.R. served his enlisted and non-commissioned officer time with the 82nd Airborne Division (Ft. Bragg, NC). After being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant out of Ft. Benning Ga’s, Officer Candidate School, J.R. served in Germany; St. John’s University in New York; Schofield Barracks ,Hawaii; National Guard in Columbus, Ohio; the Pentagon; and Ft. Belvoir in Virginia. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal-3, Army Commendation Medal-3, Army Achievement Medal-4, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-2. He also was awarded the Army Staff Identification Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge. After retirement from the Army, J.R. worked as a government contractor for three years. He then was brought on board as a government civilian working the Program Offices Budget; he eventually served as the Program’s Director of Business Management. As a government civilian, Mr. Nolen also worked a variety of Special Projects; five years of these Special Projects were overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. J.R.’s favorite overseas tour was working in Iraq, where he served as the Senior Advisor and Team Leader for the Minister of Peshmerga, his HQ’s staff, and the Kurdish Regional Guard Brigades. J.R. spent his non-work time with his family at their home in Springfield and enjoyed going to the beach as often as possible. He enjoyed watching his sons and grandson compete in running and swimming events. He was also an avid runner, who successfully completed 100 full marathons, including one in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. J.R. did not wish for a funeral; however, upon cremation his final resting place will be at Quantico Veterans Administration National Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with Military Funeral Honors in a private ceremony. A celebration of life is planned at Harbor Grill 13188 Marina Way, Woodbridge, Virginia, at 1p.m. on Sept. 26. In lieu of flowers J.R. recommends you support Fisher House https://connect.fisherhouse.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=1 or the Army’s Emergency Relief program https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate/