Nolan Otto Donop passed peacefully in his sleep in Lubbock, TX, on Monday, July 18, at the age of 97. Nolan was born on October 24, 1924, on Upper Willow Creek near Mason, TX, to Edwin Otto Donop and Hulda Lizette (Jordan). He is survived by his three children: Betty Gene Garnett (Brian), Gary Nolan Donop (Belinda), and Rebecca Helen Meyer (Cody). He is also survived by eight grandchildren: John Garnett (Jhansi), Natasha Garnett, Amanda Prather (Sean), Rebecca Shelt (Brad), Jennifer Hamilton, Amanda Parks (Edwin), John Cody Meyer, Nancy Nalisnick (TJ). His beloved great-grandchildren include: David Garnett (Emily), Kahner Garnett, Sarah Prather, Micaiah Prather, Zedekiah Prather, Elizabeth Prather, Jedidiah Prather, Claire Shelt, Abbigail Meredith, Dylan Hamilton, Caleb Hamilton, Madelyn Parks, Garrett Parks, Jase Meyer, Greyson Nalisnick, Levi Nalisnick, and a Nalisnick on the way.

Nolan was very proud of his German heritage. German was Nolan's first language. He spoke it to those who knew it and those who didn't. If you didn't know a little German, you soon would! Nolan often told the stories he learned, as a child, in his German reader. The translation of one of these stories: A young man seeking a job asked, "What will you pay me?" The gentleman said, "I'll pay you what you're worth."  The young man replied, "I don't work that cheap!" Nolan learned English in a one-room schoolhouse in Art, TX where he said he wore a hole in his fingernail playing marbles at recess.

A couple of years after high school graduation, he was drafted into the army. While on combat duty in the Apennine Mountains, south of Bologna, Italy, his life was spared many times. American soldier positions were consistently strafed by German machine gun fire. Several German grenades, called potato mashers, were hurled into Nolan's fox hole but, thankfully, failed to explode. It was later learned that the Polish people under German occupation were forced to make the potato mashers, and many were intentionally not fused. Nolan remained in Italy with the army of occupation until June of 1946. Recognition of Nolan's service to our country included the rank of corporal and two bronze service stars. In 2013, he revisited the areas in Italy where he had served in WWII some 70 years earlier. In 2014, Nolan was selected to be part of the Texas South Planes Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

Nolan married Helen Luckenbach on August 22, 1948, in London, TX. Nolan enjoyed 62 years of marriage to his lovely wife, Helen, who passed in 2010 at the age of 84. She was the love of his life.

Nolan and Helen worked hard every day to build a family and a life together. In 1953, Nolan and Helen purchased a small feed store in Mason. They grew the Donop Feed Store into a thriving business selling feed and hardware. In their first year of business, they held a free baby chick day, where they gave away 5,000 baby chicks in 3 hours. The first 500 customers were given 10 chicks each. People traveled as far as 50 miles to pick up their free chicks. The event was so popular that the police department was needed to direct traffic.

For its 58 years in business, people frequented the Donop Feed Store for a cup of coffee, the daily newspaper, and a good ol' country visit. There was always something for the children, from a handful of marbles to an annual petting zoo. Many people came to Nolan seeking advice from his wealth of knowledge in agriculture. As a result of their successful businesses, they were awarded trips to destinations around the world. The store was awarded Business of the Year by the Mason Chamber of Commerce many times. The Donop Feed Store closed in 2011, leaving behind many memories and beloved customers.

Nolan had a great entrepreneurial spirit. He owned a peanut facility with the capacity to load/unload 50,000 pounds of peanuts every 15 minutes. He also ran a U-Haul business and a large hog operation. Over the years, he donated numerous hogs to the Cherokee Children's Home.

Nolan and Helen did 'most everything together except when she went to the beauty parlor and he went to Lions Club. He was involved in many Lions Club activities and fundraisers. Through his U-Haul business, he loved recruiting Mason newcomers as Lions. He was an active Lion for 50 years, first in Mason and later in Lubbock.

In 2011 Nolan moved to Lubbock, where he attended the Senior Adventures in Ministry (SAIM) program. Nolan could always be found in his WWII VA cap, holding his cane, socializing with any and everyone.

Nolan was a joy to all and never passed up an opportunity to pull your leg. He had a kind heart and everywhere he went, everyone loved him. When a stranger met him, they would go away feeling like they were his best friend. Whether answering the phone or meeting someone for the first time, it was either, "Donop Feed Store, Deer Capital of the World" or "Welcome to Mason, Deer Capital of the World."  He truly cared about everyone, which was obvious through his warm handshake and bright smile. Anytime we went out to eat, we knew we would be waiting a while for Nolan to greet everyone in the restaurant, strangers and all, before he ate. Through Nolan's warm and caring prayers, his love of the Lord was obvious. He loved playing 42 and dominos. We all, including his great grandkids, have great memories of playing dominoes with him. Nolan loved Mason and the people in it.

God has always been the center of Nolan's life and home. He served as a deacon of the Mason Church of Christ for many years. Nolan will be remembered fondly as a very energetic, selfless, and loving Christian. While we mourn our loss, so many friends and family members who have gone before rejoice as they reunite with him in Heaven.

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, July 24 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held at Mason Church of Christ on Monday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Gooch Cemetery in Mason.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at masonfuneralhome.net

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home.