Nolan Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of Guthrie, Oklahoma went to be the Lord on August 23, 2024. He was born on August 19, 1943 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Nolan Joseph Boudreaux Sr. and Agnus Lucille (St. Romaine) Boudreaux. Nolan spent his early childhood years in Louisiana until the family moved to Oklahoma when he was six. He grew up in Alex, Oklahoma and graduated from Alex High School in 1961. After graduation, he went to work as a machinist at Nickell’s Brothers Machine Shop, then at Moore’s Auto Supply where he further developed his talent for mechanics.
In 1962, he asked his sweetheart, Ruth (Judy) Gearldene Manual to be his bride. He was so excited that on the way to take her home, he was driving too fast on a gravel road and turned the car over on its side. Uninjured, they were able to escape the vehicle and rock it back onto four wheels. They were married on December 22, 1962, and later had two sons, Michael and Kevin. The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1967 but settled in Edmond in 1969. Nolan joined the Edmond Fire Department on August 1 that year starting as a driver. He was self-taught in nearly everything he did, and without formal education or training, went on to become a well-respected leader as Battalion Chief. With such strong mechanical skills and diagnostic talent, he quickly became the primary “go to” for repairs on the department vehicles and apparatus, and eventually became the instructor teaching fire apparatus mechanics and pumping operations. It has been said by a colleague that without his ability to efficiently keep the equipment running, many more homes and buildings in Edmond would have burned down. Later in his career, he enjoyed delivering fire trucks out of state or picking them up and delivering them to Edmond. Due to his incredible work ethic and exemplary service, he was awarded the Steven W. Begley award, the most prestigious award given by the Edmond Fire Department. Even after he retired, he continued to keep Edmond’s fire trucks and equipment in operation.
In 1993, Nolan and Judy purchased an acreage and moved to Guthrie. In December 1994, he retired after 25 years in the fire department. He said he finished his retirement “to do” list faster than he thought he would. Earlier life interests such as scuba diving and beating everyone in town at pool turned to tinkering in his garage, working on cars, making “Wahoo” game boards for his family and friends out of old bathroom petitions and discarded lab countertops. He also enjoyed fishing, restoring old cars and spending time with family. In 2003, he went back to work as a parts driver for O’Reilly’s where he made many more friends and helped those in his community. While still working part time, he also lovingly cared for his wife until she passed away in 2016.
In the last years of life, Nolan was blessed to meet his friend, Jean Smith who brought him much joy and companionship. They passed time together enjoying the simple things in life. In Nolan’s words, she was a “godsend” and although she had only known him a few years, she stayed by his side every day throughout his illness until the very end.
Nolan is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Judy, and his youngest son, Kevin. He is survived by his brothers and their wives, Wayne (Tammy) Merchant, Roger (Carol) Merchant, his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Valerie Boudreaux, grandchildren Briana Boudreaux, Brittany (Andrew) Smith, Brandon Boudreaux, Bethany (Taylor) Erwin, great grandchildren Cadence Boudreaux, Lachlan Smith, Vaila Smith, Erith Smith, preborn great grandson, Nathaniel Jay Erwin, and many nieces and nephews, and very special friend, Jean Smith.
Funeral services will be held at Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Chickasha at 10:30 am Thursday, August 29, 2024. Family viewing will be Wednesday, August 28, 4:00-4:30. Family will be available to receive friends and relatives from 4:30-7:00 pm.
Interment will be in the Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Burn Centers for Children. Donate.lovetotherescue.org.