Gerald Todd Nolan

Gerald (Jerry) Todd Nolan, passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 88. Born on March 13, 1936, in Milwaukee, WI, Jerry was an alumnus of Washington High School in Milwaukee, WI and a proud Green Bay Packer fan until his death.

Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1963 as a second lieutenant. He enjoyed a distinguished 37-year career, retiring in 1992 with the rank of Colonel. Throughout his service, Jerry served as a navigator and an Electronic Warfare Officer (Old Crow) on RC-135s with the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. Later in his career, he held several positions in intelligence including Branch Chief for the Soviet Warsaw Pact Command, Control Branch at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Chief of Staff for Intelligence at the 5th Air Force Headquarters at Yokota AFB, Japan and Deputy Director of Intelligence for Plans and Programs for US Space Command and NORAD.

Jerry received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1966 and a master’s degree in Soviet Area Studies from Texas Tech University in 1975. Jerry was also fluent in Russian, a necessity in his work life.

In his personal life, Jerry was first married to Patricia Kinder Nolan in 1955 with whom he had three children. He subsequently married Marcia Hessong in 1995. Jerry is survived by his children, Julie Papa (Mike) and Steve Nolan (Amy). He is also survived by his brother Dennis Nolan (Fran), daughter-in-law Margaret Nolan, 1 niece, 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, who were the joy of his later years. He was predeceased by his son Kevin and wife Marcia.

Following his military retirement, Jerry embraced a new chapter in education through the Troops to Teachers program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and then taught middle school social studies for 6 years. He also found passion in volunteering, dedicating many years as a ski patroller at Ski Cooper. He was an active member of the Blazers Ski Club in Colorado Springs for over 20 years.

Jerry loved to travel; a passion fueled by his numerous duty stations around the world during his Air Force career as well as personal adventures with his family.

His legacy is his ultimate passion, optimism and positivity for life, family and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903, on February 21, 2025, at 10:00am, where friends and family can celebrate his life and legacy. In lieu of flower donations may be made to Operation Homefront or the Wounded Warrior Project.