John Lloyd Nold passed away on January 7, 2025 at the age of 84, in Warrensburg, Missouri where he had lived with his family for fifty years. His wife of 63 years, Judith Elaine (Hawkins) Nold, followed him in death only two days later at the age of 83, also passing away in the town where they had raised their family.

John Lloyd Nold was born November 26, 1940 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Lloyd and Pauline Nold of Savannah, Missouri.  He grew up on his parents’ farm helping work the land until he left for college where he studied geology in Columbia, Missouri.  After obtaining his doctorate in geology, John worked as a field geologist in Spokane, Washington before moving to Warrensburg to become a professor at the University of Central Missouri where he taught students for 36 years.  John loved poetry, especially poems authored by Robert Service.  He memorized numerous poems and loved to regale friends and family with his recitations, even in the last months of his life.

Judith Elaine Hawkins Nold was born June 29, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri to Joseph and Dorothy Hawkins.  After her father returned from WWII, she lived with her parents in the basement of her grandparents’ home until moving to Liberty, Missouri, and finally St. Joseph, Missouri where she met John.  She had a lifelong love of learning: earning her RN as a nurse, earning a Master’s Degree in psychology, becoming a licensed teacher for Unity, and even working as a realtor.  Throughout her life Judy also loved music.  She learned to play numerous instruments including trombone, piano, guitar, banjo, and organ — a gift she loved sharing with others.  Judy and John even had a family music group which featured John, Judy, and all five of their children.

John and Judy married on July 14, 1961. They traveled to Missoula, Montana to pursue John’s education and start their family.  Together they raised five children and traveled the world while maintaining their home residence in Warrensburg.  Among their exploits, they climbed the volcanoes of Hawaii, traveled by train across Europe, walked across England (twice), and bicycled around Missouri (often on a tandem).  Now they are on their final journey together in tandem.

John and Judy were preceded in death by John’s mother and father, Judy’s mother and father, John’s brother, Bill Nold, and John’s niece, Lori Nold, Judy’s brother-in-law, Don Riggenbach, and their daughter-in-law, Michelle Nold.  They are survived by Judy’s siblings and spouses, Jan Riggenbach (widow of Don), Joe and Donna Hawkins, five children and spouses, Shelly and Tim Moulis, Robert Nold (widower of Michelle), David Nold, Brian Nold, and Sheila and Don Duralia, as well as 6 grandchildren, Ashley Moulis, Melissa and Daniel Strain, Matthew Moulis, Steven Nold, Sarah Duralia, William Duralia, and 4 great-grandchildren, Elle, Emery, Weston and Halston Strain.

To honor their wishes, there will not be a funeral. There will be a celebration of life for both John and Judy at a future date yet to be determined.