John Francis Patrick Nolan

John Francis Patrick Nolan, age 96, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Coats, North Carolina, with Rev. David Smithey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall.

John is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Doris Johnson Nolan. The two met in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later retired to Doris’s hometown in North Carolina. They shared a deep love of golf, John’s favorite sport, and played regularly together until he was about 90 years old.

John was a Korean War Army Veteran, attaining the rank of Captain. After his military service, he entered the automobile business in 1956. With the support of Ford Motor Company’s Dealer Development Program, he was able to purchase his own dealership in 1970.

Under his leadership, John Nolan Ford became one of the top-performing dealerships in the region, winning every customer satisfaction and sales award offered by Ford. He served on the National Dealers Council, was Chairman of the Greater Cincinnati Auto Dealers Association, and Chairman of the Ford Dealer Advertising Fund. He also led a national advertising standards team and was honored with a standing ovation after delivering a speech to Ford dealers in Canada. The dealership’s well-known slogan, “A Good Deal Better”, reflected John’s commitment to honesty and integrity, values he instilled in his staff by encouraging them always to “take the high road” with customers.

John is survived by his children, Karen Michalski of Glencoe, Kentucky; Pamela Jabbour (AJ) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Patrick Sowers (Laura) of Erlanger, Kentucky; Michael Nolan of Florence, Kentucky; Barbara Nolan Jones (Jeff) of Union, Kentucky and Robert Nolan (Rebecca) of Villa Hills, Kentucky. He is also survived by his dearly loved stepchildren, Curry (Sarah) Meece, Greg (Lynn) Meece, Mark (Kim) Meece, Les (Djuanna) Samuels, Ellen (Lee) Samuels, Brad (Cindy) Samuels, and Elizabeth Hamilton; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC