Nolan Kirk Simon

Nolan Kirk Simon of Raleigh passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. Nolan was born in Middletown, Kentucky, the first son of Helen Simon (née Kirkham), a teacher, bookkeeper, and homemaker, and Ansel Simon, a family physician. He is survived by his only daughter, Margaret (Paul), two grandsons Anders and Camm, a brother Jon (Linda) and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 37 years, Barbara (née Michel).

Nolan graduated from Eastern High School in Louisville, KY where he was first saxophonist in the marching band and struggled with algebra. He was known for driving sports cars, including a Saab named the Coffin II and a Triumph TR 6 which he painted green with white racing stripes. Nolan attended Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY, pledging Kappa Alpha fraternity. Midway through his studies, he discovered an interest in art and transferred to the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore. In 1966, he left school to enlist in the army to serve in Vietnam but was rejected for medical reasons. He then spent time working at Sears Robuck, eventually returning to MICA to complete his BA and MFA. Nolan subsequently had a long career as an art teacher, first at Catonsville Middle School in Catonsville, MD and then at Randallstown High School in Randallstown, MD. During his early years of teaching he met Barbara Michel, an aspiring English teacher. They were married within six months. Five years later, their only child, Margaret (Maggie) was born. In addition to teaching, Nolan had a wedding photography business for some years. A talented calligrapher, Nolan completed various projects for individuals and local outlets including Bay Sailor magazine. After retiring from teaching, he worked for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), assessing fourth graders in reading. Nolan was a natural and gifted teacher, much loved by his students, especially those he worked with on Randallstown's Student Government and as coach for the Golf Team. A welcoming host, Nolan enjoyed nothing more than entertaining people in his home in Catonsville or at his and Barbara's cottage, Sunnyside, in Searsport, Maine. He had a lifelong close bond with his brother, Jon, with whom he shared a love of golf, Maine, and music. After the death of his wife, Nolan moved to Nokomis, Florida where he spent several years enjoying the beach and traveling. He moved to Raleigh in 2014. There will be a memorial service at 10:00a on 2/21 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nolan's memory may be made to Public Schools First North Carolina.

(https://publicschoolsfirstnc.org/donate/) or to Swan Lake's Courtesy Boat Inspection Program to prevent invasive plants (Swan Lake Association, PO Box 483, Belfast, ME 04915).