James (Jim) Nolan passed away peacefully at his home in Kentucky on Monday May 23, 2022. He was born on August 26, 1921 in Weymouth, MA. He graduated from Bridgewater State Teacher's College in MA in 1943. During his senior year, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Immediately after college, he began training to become a pilot. He married his college sweetheart Madeleine (Dee) DeSorcie in June, 1944 before being assigned to England in WWII. He served in the 401st Bomber Group in the 8th Army, known as the Mighty Eighth. He flew 30 combat missions over Germany as the pilot of a B-17 bomber. He returned to civilian life after the war. Jim taught school at the Weymouth Junior High School (MA). At the same time, he earned a Masters Degree in Education at Boston University in June, 1949. In 1951, Jim was called back to active duty with the U.S. Air Force where he completed jet and helicopter pilot training. He was then assigned to the 74th Air Rescue Squadron as a helicopter pilot in Fairbanks, Alaska. While there, he distinguished himself by rescuing a bush pilot, nurse and baby from the frozen Yukon River during a snow storm at night. His assignments also took him to Texas, New York, Panama Canal Zone and Alabama. Jim's last military assignment was Director of Research, AF ROTC Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Alabama (AL). After 26 years of service, he retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1969. In 2019, he was honored with a Quilt of Valor for his military service. After retiring from the USAF, he took a position as Assistant to the Dean, School of Business, Auburn University (AL) from which he retired in 1981. Jim enjoyed visiting family and friends, reading, golfing and learning Spanish during his retirement years. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters. His wife Dee passed away in 2013. He is survived by his children Richard (Nieves) Nolan, Melbourne, FL; Robert (Linda) Nolan, Dothan, AL; Pauline (Ray) Geiselhart, Montgomery, TX; and Patrice Nolan, Frankfort, KY as well as eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Visitation will be on August 8th at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Auburn, AL from 12-1 followed by a Memorial service. A reception will held at the church immediately following the Memorial service. Family and friends are invited to attend the internment at Memorial Cemetery in Auburn, AL following the reception. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home will handle the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to the Friends of Auburn Public Library or The Carter Center at One Copenhill, PO Box 47339, Atlanta, GA 30362-9806.