THE DELAND SUN NEWS
DeLand, Florida
Sunday, January 3, 1983SEVILLE YOUTH DIES IN HUNTING ACCIDENT
A 15-year-old Seville boy hunting with friends on his family’s ranch New Year’s Day was killed when his shotgun accidentally fired and struck him in the chest, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Richard C. Nolan, Nolan Road, was using his Remington 12 gage pump shotgun to clear branches from a pond when the firearm accidentally discharged, hitting him from close range in the center of the chest, deputies reported.
Nolan died soon after a 15-year old friend and hunting companion, Ray Worthington, pulled him from waist-deep water where he had fallen after being shot, deputies said. Worthington ran for help and rescue workers summoned to the accident arrived minutes after Nolan dies, the report says.
Worthington was uninjured in the shooting, according to the sheriff’s department. An unidentified 15-year-old girl standing next to Nolan was shot in the leg, but not admitted to the hospital, the sheriff’s department report said.
The three youths were duck hunting on the Nolan family property, Circle N Ranch, just east of Seville, when the 5:40 p.m. accident occurred. According to the sheriff’s office, the three had waded across a pond to a small island where Nolan held his loaded gun by the barrel and used the stock to knock down branches.
Nolan’s body was taken to Halifax Hospital Medical Center, Daytona Beach. An autopsy is scheduled for today, deputies said.
RICHARD NOLAN
Richard Cannon “Rick” Nolan, 15, of Nolan Road, Seville, died Saturday at the Circle N Ranch near Seville. Born in Palatka, Mr. Nolan lived in Seville all his life. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Seville.
A sophomore at Taylor High School in Pierson, Mr. Nolan was active in the Future Farmers of American organization and a member of the Wildcat football team.
Survivors are his parents, Robert and Louise Nolan of Seville; a brother, Robert of Seville; his paternal grandmother, Juanita Nolan of Seville; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Cannon of East Palatka.
The family request that memorial donations be made to the Taylor High School Future Farmers of America Chapter Boosters in care of Paul Cade, Taylor High School, Pierson.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 tonight at Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home in DeLand.
NOLAN, RICHARD CANNON “RICK” – Funeral services for Richard Cannon “Rick” Nolan, 15, of Nolan Road, Seville, who died Saturday as the result of a tragic hunting accident, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Trinity United Methodist Church in Seville with the Rev. T. Earl Pittard officiating, assisted by Rev. John T. Pennington.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home or from 9 a.m. until service time at the church on Tuesday.
Rick is survived by his parents, Robert and Louise Nolan; his brother Bob Nolan; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Juanita Nolan of Seville; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Cannon of East Palatka.
Rick was a 10th grade student at Taylor High School in Pierson and a member of the football team. He was known for his ranching and his work in the Future Farmers of America.
Rick was known and loved by many and his memory will remain. Burial will be in Seville Cemetery.
The Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home of DeLand is in charge of arrangements.
SPORTS FARE
Roger S. Gilmore, Sports EditorRICK NOLAN: Tragic Death
Sympathy is extended from this corner to Robert and Louise Nolan of Seville on the tragic death of their oldest son, Rick, 15, who died in a hunting accident Saturday afternoon.
The young man was hunting ducks on the Nolan’s private hunting area with close friend Raymond Worthington and a Crescent City High School student.
The accidental shooting took place as Rick was clearing away some tree limbs with the butt end of the shotgun. He had just told one of his companions the gun was loaded when it discharged hitting him in the chest.
Rick had played junior varsity football this year for the Taylor Wildcats and had moved up the varsity at the end of the season. “He had really come a long way in football and we were looking forward to having him on the varsity the next two years,” a saddened head coach Dave Hiss said this morning.
“He was a good natured kid who really enjoyed the outdoors,” Hiss added. Another THS faculty member noted he and friends had been out hunting just about every day of the holiday break. He also played in the West Volusia Little League and Minor League as well as the DeLand Babe Ruth League.
Rick was a former class officer and was currently a member of the Taylor Chapter’s Future Farmers of America Livestock Judging Team. He was also very active in a variety of FFA projects.
The family requests that donations be made to the Taylor FFA Boosters, an organization that assists the various judging teams and other FFA activities with their trips and events.
Funeral services will be held at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning in the Trinity United Methodist Church in Seville. The family will receive friends 7-9 o’clock tonight at the Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home.
There are simply no words that seem fitting at a time like this for Robert and Louise, younger brother Bob, or other family members and close friends.
It was a tragic accident.
