Major Lewis Robert Nossal U.S. Army Retired

After graduating from high school in 1939, Lew enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard as a member of the 125th Infantry, 32nd Division. In October 1940, the 32nd Division was called into active duty and was transported to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. He continued to be transferred throughout the south, including a short stay at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas, until World War II broke out in 1941. He was then transferred to bases in Arizona, Texas, and California where he was stationed until 1944. In October 1944, he was transferred to Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, where he met his wife, Blair.

Lew served throughout the United States, Japan, Korea, and Germany, and rose in the enlisted ranks to Major by the time he honorably retired from active duty in 1963. He then served in civilian capacity as a finance manager at Fort Ord United States Army Base in Monterey, California for twenty years. He and his wife made their home in Seaside, California, where he was an active Mason. He was also member of a local gun and rifle club, and won several medals and citations for his expert marksmanship.

Lew grew and cultivated the most beautiful roses while living in Seaside. Always an advocate for nature and animals, especially cats, he kept bird feeders and food bowls out for all hungry birds and strays. He was also a fan of horse-racing and came close to purchasing a race horse while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky in the early fifties.

A few years after his wife passed away, Lew moved to Little Rock in 1994, and his back yard was full of birds year-round due to an elaborate feeding system he had developed. A lover of books and all things intellectual, he was an avid reader and had an extensive knowledge about many diverse subjects that he could recall at a moment’s notice with his considerable memory. His home was filled with every kind of book imaginable along with large collections of music and movies. He loved tools, gadgets, jigsaw puzzles, growing amaryllis bulbs into flowers, and he was an expert at hooking rugs. He created several and gave them away to friends and family. Lew was known for his intelligence, kindness, generosity, and big heart. He was someone you could always count on.

Lew was predeceased by his beloved wife of 40 years, Blair Nation Nossal, and her children, Carol Nation Haas and Donald “Skip” Nation. He is survived by his step-granddaughter, Cynthia Haas, of Little Rock; his sister, Rita Brooks, of Las Vegas, Nevada; several nieces and nephews; and good friends Frank and Mary Gardner of Little Rock; and James and Nancy McElyea of Hensley. He will be greatly missed.

Deepest gratitude must be expressed to the wonderful staffs of the VA Hospital system, Presbyterian Village, and Arkansas Hospice for the excellent care and consideration that was provided to Lew. Special thanks go to Drexel Jordan and Lauren Thompson of the VA, and to Debbie Spradley, Marta Harrell, Amy Buck, Janet Rader, Dr. Scott Simmons, Helen Jones, Ponesha Thompson, Latanya Toatley, Lorene Fitzgerald, Latasha Jenkins, Mamie Mills, and the entire third floor Healthcare Center support staff at Presbyterian Village.

Graveside services with military honors will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2014, at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas. The service will be officiated by Reverend Ray Brown, Little Rock, Arkansas. Arrangements are by Fentress Mortuary, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Memorial contributions may be made in Lew’s name to the Presbyterian Village Foundation, Arkansas Hospice, the Arkansas Nature Conservancy, or to an animal rescue or Veteran’s organization of choice.