Nolan Heim Fritz

Beloved and devoted husband, father, and Papa Nolan Fritz passed away Feb. 2, at 102 years young, surrounded by family at Timber Ridge in Eureka. He was born on August 27, 1921, to Jack and Olive Fritz in Eureka. He was a tribal elder of the Karuk Tribe.

Nolan was intelligent, kind, innovative, resilient, and a constant hard-working man with a great sense of humor. Nolan served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was with the 15th AF 463rd bomb group, 772nd squadron in Italy. He flew 50 missions, receiving the air medal with two oak leaf clusters and a campaign ribbon. He was the last surviving member of his crew.

When he returned from the war he married the love of his life, Marion Harrison, in December of 1952. They were married for 66 years until her passing in 2018. The two of them would be inseparable and a team throughout the adventures of their life together. They built their own home in Eureka with the help of Marion’s aunt. They had four children, Nolan II, Lynn, Kavan, and Cleone.

Nolan tried his hand at various occupations. He worked for Mercer-Fraser on the north and south jetties as a powder monkey pulled green chain, worked the assembly line at Loleta Milk Co., laborerd with the Pierson Building Company, painted houses with his father and brother, and fished commercially with his future father-in-law. After WWII he bought his own boat, and while crabbing along the south spit he capsized and was rescued after swimming for 25 minutes in the ocean.

He decided to move on and went to work for Caltrans, which led him to move to many places throughout the state. His favorite place was Forest Glen. There he enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, berry picking, deer hunting, riding quads, and camping at Naufus spike camp with his family. He returned to his home in Eureka and retired from Caltrans as a supervisor after 20 years.

He enjoyed gardening, eating Marion’s delicious home-cooked meals, babysitting his grandkids, and returning to his beloved camping and hunting grounds in Forest Glen every year.

Nolan is survived by his son, Nolan II, daughters Lynn Fritz and Cleone Ehlers (Allen), and many dearly adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marion, son Kavan, great-grandson Kavan, brother Earl, father Jack, and mother Olive Brazil.

There will be no services, per his request. The family would like to thank Hospice of Humboldt, Larona Farnum, the caregivers, and the staff at Timber Ridge. Their support during this difficult time was greatly appreciated.

And, on behalf of Sanders Funeral Home - Thank you, sir, for your service.