Uncrowned Community Builders

Douglas E. Noles was born on September 7, 1916 in Montrose, Georgia. His parents were Errie and Jack Noles. Douglas father died when he was a young boy and his mother moved to Buffalo, New York shortly after her husband's death. She met Bishop Charles H. McCoy after moving to Buffalo and the couple wed in 1926.

Douglas attended the Buffalo Public Schools and graduated from Hutchinson Central High School. He married the former Eva Bateman on May 23, 1941.

In 1943, Douglas was called into the military. He entered the Air Force initially and later transferred to the Army in 1944. He attained the rank of Sergeant and served overseas, receiving an American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1946. Douglas earned his pilot's license after his discharge and was affectionately known as "Fly Boy".

Douglas worked at General Motors before entering the service and returned to GM for a short time after the military. He went to work for the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and finished his career at Roswell Park Memorial Institute as a radiation treatment technician. He retired in 1979. His love for photography led him to his new career as a freelance photographer after he retired. He received awards for some of his work.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s he played tenor saxophone locally with a five piece combo and was a member of the Colored Musician's Local. He remained a music lover all of his life. He was also a member of the Pontiac-Oakland Car Club. He received awards for his 1973 Pontiac Grand-AM. His love for cars took him to many places with the club. He was also a 20 year member of the SCCA and traveled to many races with his son Tyrone and Bernard Young and Daniel Nedescu, both of whom he affectionately called his adopted sons.

Mr. Noles died on May 9, 2001. He is interred at St. Matthew Cemetery.