Michael Ridley Nolan

Michael Ridley Nolan passed away on January 17, 2017. Mike was born February 28, 1949 in Appleton, Wi., and was the first of four sons of the late Robert Sutton Nolan of Appleton and the late Judith Ann Nichol Nolan of Atlanta. After the Nolan family settled in Sandy Springs, Ga. in 1955, Mike attended Hammond Elementary School and Sandy Springs High School, Class of 1967. He completed his formal education with attendance at Kennesaw Junior College and Dekalb Junior College. Mike's love of music led to his involvement in the production of the Atlanta International Pop Festivals of 1969 and 1970, and to his later work as box office manager of The Electric Ballroom, The Fox Theater, and other concert venues. He continued to follow and support his favorite local musicians, and was highly regarded within the Atlanta music community. A football and baseball player in his youth, Mike was a big fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Braves. He was at Atlanta Stadium with his brothers when Henry Aaron hit home run number 715, breaking Babe Ruth's all time record. Mike also enjoyed many outdoor activities, including river rafting, snow and water skiing, body surfing, and sailing. For several years he was "Captain" of a 22 foot day sailer on Lake Lanier, christened the "Forward Movement." Mike had a life long fascination with cars and trucks, and many of his vocational pursuits were transportation related. He was in "car guy heaven" in his final job, spending many years as a course worker at Road Atlanta in Braselton. A strong man with a quiet nature and peaceful spirit, Mike lived by the principle of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." He had a "servant heart," and was always ready and willing, as able, to be of help to his family, friends, or strangers in need. Mike's faith was ingrained during his childhood in the Episcopal Church, and was renewed and revived in his 30's in fellowship with his original church and the broader Christian community. His relationship with God was both deeply held, and intensely personal. Mike is survived by brothers Stephen Nolan of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Geoffrey Nolan (Claire) of Atlanta, Matthew Nolan of Cumming, Ga.; niece Streeter Nichol Nolan of New York, N.Y.; several Nichol and Nolan cousins.

Friends are invited to join the family at a Memorial Service, reception to follow, on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 PM at Sandy

Springs Chapel: 136 Mount Vernon Highway; Sandy Springs, Ga. 404-255-8511.