C. Thomas Nolan III

Charles Thomas "Tom" Nolan III, 78, of St. Louis, MO, went home to be with the Lord on January 3, 2025. He lived most of his life in Waterford, Michigan, attending Presbyterian services, graduating from Waterford Kettering High School, and then earning a B.A. from Western Michigan University. Tom and his wife Patty (née Shaughnessy) celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in May.

Tom’s career and interests were as colorful as the man himself. He worked a summer job at GM Truck and Coach, taught school, managed restaurants, was a realtor, and produced local cable TV shows. He enjoyed photography and painting. Before his progressive disease compromised his mobility, he piloted small planes and sailboats and traveled extensively overseas, where he developed a lifelong interest in Asian culture and the people he met there. He loved sitting on the porch of the cottage on Lake Huron and exchanging tall tales with extended family and friends. Even when confined to bed in St. Louis, he enjoyed imaginative play with his grandson and long chats with his daughter and son-in-law.

Tom is survived by his wife, Patty, their daughter Erin (Stephen) Tyree; adopted children Tony (Thao) Huynh, and Kim Sorsueb; and grandchildren Jenny, Tonya, Trenton, and Aidan, and sister Maureen Rider (Jeff). He was predeceased by his beloved sister Colleen. He enjoyed and will be missed by his precious nieces and nephews and many friends who knew him as Poppa Tom, Cap'n Tom, and “The Curmudgeon.”

The family will gather in Michigan at Coats Funeral Home in Waterford on Saturday, January 11, from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a brief service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gleaners Community Foodbank, serving Southeastern Michigan, or the ministries of Restore St. Louis.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11 AM at COATS FUNERAL HOME-WATERFORD. Following service family will receive friends until 1 PM. 

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