Stephen Bennett Nolen

ARLINGTON -- Stephen Bennett Nolen, 54, of Arlington died Friday, April 27, 2012, at a hospital in Arlington. Death was due to diabetes-related complications. Funeral: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Street Fellowship, 1516 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Interment: Hawkins Cemetery, Arlington. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wade Family Funeral Home, Arlington. Memorials: Memorial donations can be made to Mission Arlington, 210 W. South St., Arlington, Texas 76010. Stephen Nolen, son of Neta Dees Nolen and the late Joel Douglas Nolen, was born in Orange, Calif., on July 5, 1957. Stephen, son of a career Marine, lived several places before settling in Euless in 1969. He attended Euless public schools and graduated from Trinity High School in 1975. Stephen went on to obtain a BA in criminal justice from the University of Texas at Arlington. While in college, Stephen launched his career in emergency medicine, security and fire safety at Six Flags Over Texas. After many years with Six Flags, Stephen became a full-time EMT, working for CareFlite and MedStar. Stephen encouraged and mentored many young people entering the emergency medical field. In 1992, Stephen met his future wife and married her July 24, 1993. The couple settled in Arlington. Soon after, Stephen discovered his greatest passion, parenting two daughters. After the birth of their younger daughter, Stephen and his wife made a radical decision for the time -- Stephen would be a full-time parent and his wife would work outside the home. Stephen's love for children extended far beyond his home, as evidenced by many years of dedicated service to the 2-year-old Sunday school class at First Baptist Church, Arlington. Stephen was also an active member of Arlington Masonic Lodge #438. At the time of his death, Stephen was the lodge musician. Stephen was profoundly committed to Christ, and his loving and gentle spirit moved the hearts of young and old alike. Survivors: Wife, Rachel Wolfskill Nolen; daughters, Lee-Anna Lopez and son-in-law, Georgio Lopez, and Julia Corinne Nolen, all of Arlington; mother, Neta Dees Nolen; brother, Brian Nolen and wife, Trina; nephews, Nicholas and Beau Nolen, all of Austin; and many extended family members. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233