Captain John B. Noll, USN, Ret.

April 25, 1940 - April 6, 2023
Captain John B. Noll, USN, Ret.

Memorial Gifts & Donations


Captain John B. Noll, MC, (retired) USN: 04/25/1940-04/06/2023 passed away peacefully at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center. John is the son of the late John Henry Noll and Elizabeth Carolyn (Brockway) Noll. He was born and raised in Youngstown, OH along with siblings Mary (Ken) Piller of Stuarts Draft, VA and Derek (Margie) Noll of Sarasota, FL. John graduated from DePauw University, Greencastle, IN in 1962 and received his Medical Degree from Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH in 1966. John had joined the Navy Medical Corps via the Berry Plan in 1962. After completing his Pediatric Residency he then served two years as the Assistant Director of Pediatrics at the Naval Hospital Guam, leaving active duty in 1971.

Upon returning to the states, John completed a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Boston. He worked in private practice for a bit before completing a Psychiatry residency at the University of Cincinnati, OH. John developed the first sports medicine program for the University of Cincinnati and went on to do the same for Northern Michigan University. While in Michigan, he became the Battalion Surgeon for the 107th Engineering Corps of the Michigan State National Guard. As a result of that experience, he rejoined as active duty in the Navy, receiving hip Naval Flight Surgeon Wings in March of 1979.

While in the Navy, John served as the Senior Medical Officer for the Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the USS Forrestal (CV59). He became the Assistant Director of Training at the Navel Aerospace Medical Institute. He then attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, receiving the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Excellence in Research. After a 3 year tour as Director of Education and Training for the Naval Medical Command in DC, he was the Executive Officer of the Naval Hospital in Camp Lejeune, NG. During Desert Storm, John served as the Force Medical Officer for the Military Sealift Command of the Pacific in Oakland, CA. From there he returned to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, in DC where he served as both the Deputy Assistant Chief for Operational Medicine and Fleet Support and the Director of Surface Medicine. John retired from active duty in Oct. 1999 after serving three years as the Force Medical Officer for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, FL.

John is survived by his children, John Erik Noll and wife Valerie of Plano, TX and Kathryn Laird Noll Webster and husband Brian of Wilmington, NC, his 3 grandchildren Matthew, Joshua, and Abigail Webster, and many nieces and nephews, and friends.

John has called Wilmington, NC his home since 2005. John was never one to sit still for long and kept himself busy. He became a Master Gardener, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and volunteered at Pine Valley Elementary, earning the volunteer of the year award. He was a was a member of the Cape Fear Chorale. John loved to learn and took advantage of the programs offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW. While able, he was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilmington. He loved to read and enjoyed his poetry and book clubs. He loved the outdoors whether it was gardening, hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains, or walking his buddy, Roku. Above all, John loved being with his family. He made sure to attend any and all events that his grandchildren were involved in, cheering them on along the way. He was proud of each of them and made sure they knew it.

John was loved dearly and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to The Good Shepherd Center of Wilmington or The Sierra Club.

Memorial Service will be at a later date.

Share memories and condolences by visiting the “Tribute Wall” below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910-791-9099

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  • September 16, 2023
    Michelle Lawn says:
    My husband and I were students at NMU and remember him well. We babysat the children too. We kept in contact for a while after he left NMU but then lost touch. We thought of him often. Our sympathy goes out to his family. Michelle & Keith Lawn

  • May 05, 2023
    Charles R Egerter says:
    John was a close fried of mine,he will be missed,rest in peace,Charles Egerter

  • April 11, 2023
    Leon Rooks says:
    We are saddened to learn of the passing of CAPT John B Noll, USN, Ret. The SENCLAND MOAA Board of directors and its members send our deepest sympathies to the family at this difficult time. SENCLAND MOAA Wilmington, NC

  • April 10, 2023
    Derek & Margie Noll posted an image:
    Beloved Brothers and Sister.
    Beloved Brothers and Sister.

  • April 10, 2023
    Derek & Margie Noll says:
    I so enjoyed discussing the poems by Rumi, a 13th century Mystic, with John about John’s spiritual journey. I will sorely miss my Brother chatting with me. All our love, Derek & Margie