John Burden Noland

John Burden Noland died in Highlands, NC, on Tuesday, September 8, after a long illness. He was born August 7, 1946, in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Rev. Iveson B. Noland and Nell Burden Noland. The family moved to church parishes in Charlotte, NC and Lake Charles, LA. When John was 5, the family moved to Alexandria, LA where he attended Rugg Elementary until age 13. He then attended Christ School, an Episcopal boys boarding school in Arden, North Carolina, graduating with Honors.

John went to UNC on a Morehead Scholarship. He was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity. He graduated in 1968, having completed his first year of law school. He returned to Baton Rouge with his wife, Virginia, also a Baton Rougean. John graduated in 1970 from LSU Law School. They have lived here with their family for the following 59 years.

After graduation he practiced law with Breazeale, Sachse and Wilson for fifteen years. He retired and then became a part-time US Magistrate judge. John left the law practice and began a successful business career. He formed several meaningful business partnerships: AllStar Automotive with Matt McKay, real estate development with Lindsey Landreneau and Robert Peek, and Roto-Rooter with Larry Musgrove, among others.

John served on a number of boards during his lifetime. He enjoyed being a member of Coca Cola Bottling United Company board in Birmingham, AL. He was a founder and board member of St James Place retirement home. He was a long-serving board member and a leader of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. He was also the head of the LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation) board for nearly 15 years, which then evolved into the Redevelopment Authority.

John was devoted to his communities, particularly the Episcopal church and its schools; he served on the boards of Episcopal School in Baton Rouge and of Christ School in North Carolina. He served on the vestry of St James Church, where he was also a chalice bearer. He was awarded the NCCJ Annual Brotherhood Award, shared with Eula Smith, in 2001.

He was an enthusiastic and tireless traveller and cook. He cherished his many years in Pecan Island as a member of the Section 14 duck club. John was also a past president and lunchtime regular of the Baton Rouge City Club.

He is predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Iveson (Butch) Noland. John is survived by his wife Virginia Bailey, his son John B. Noland, Jr, his daughter Scott Hickson, his son-in-law James Hickson and his grandchildren, Nell and Wingate Hickson and John B. Noland, III and Fairfax Noland. He is also survived by his brother Daniel Noland and his wife Pat, and his sister-in-law Judy Noland.

The funeral will be held at St James Church on September 25th, with visitation from 9-11 am and the service at 11:30.

The family would like to thank Goldie Wilson, the caregivers of At Home Care of Louisiana and the compassionate staff of Hospice of Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation or St James Episcopal Church.