Nolin spent life helping others

School board member, former educator loses battle with COVID-19, remembered for service

David Nolin, who spent his career in education and is remembered for his love of children and working to create a path of success, died Thursday, Sept. 2, from complications with COVID-19 and left a legacy of helping others.

The long-term educator was serving as the District 6 representative on the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board at the time of his death. His seat sat vacant during a special board meeting Tuesday afternoon as fellow board members paid tribute to his life and contributions far beyond education.

Nolin, 73, spent more than 41 years in public education with more than 39 of those years in Escambia County.

A 1966 graduate of Flomaton High School, Nolin spent his educational career as teacher, coach and administrator.

He served as assistant principal of Escambia County Middle School for three years, assistant principal of Escambia County High School for three years and principal of A.C. Moore Elementary School for 14 years until his retirement in October, 2012.

John Knott, who recently retired as superintendent of the county school system, said he'd known Nolin for more than 40 years as a friend, co-worker and later had Nolin on the school board.

"It breaks my heart," Knott said about Nolin's death. "He and I were friends and worked together then he got on the board. It's hard to understand he's gone."

"I always appreciated David," Knott said. "He stood up for the right things and will be missed."

Former Pollard Mayor Valeria Osby said she owes most of the success in her life to Nolin.

"He was one of my heroes," Osby said. "He was teaching at Flomaton when I was in school and he took me under his wing, which has a lot to do with me being who I am today."

Osby also said Nolin was 'color blind' in terms of race and credits him with doing everything in his power to make everybody feel special, especially during the transformation from segregation to desegregation.

"He made everybody feel comfortable," Osby said. "He was everything to me."

She said she spent many Fridays at the Panhandle Restaurant in Century eating lunch with Nolin.

"He was truly a hero of my life and I already miss him so much," Osby said.

Escambia County Circuit Judge Jeff White said he knew Nolin professionally and personally and considered him a friend.

"He was an excellent educator and even a better person," White said. "He cared about everybody and would do what ever he could to see that they succeeded in what they wanted to do."

Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said he couldn't remember how long he'd known Nolin, but knew it was a long time.

"He's been a friend of mine for a long time," he said. "He was just a great person."

Stanton said he remembers the days when he played football for Century and Nolin was coaching at Flomaton.

"You weren't supposed to like those coaches over in Flomaton if you played for Century," Stanton said. "But you couldn't help but like David."

 
 
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