Eldon Joe Nosari

Our much beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend, Eldon Joe Nosari, passed from this life on March 1, 2012. A second generation Italian-American, he was born in Little Rock, Ark., on December 18, 1939, to Elmo Robert Nosari and Lillian Marie Johnson Nosari. Joe was predeceased by his parents and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Elizabeth Johnston Talley, with whom he had a special relationship. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Joe is survived by two brothers, Robert (Judy) Nosari of Mountain Home, Ark. and Jimmy (Kay Joiner) Nosari of Little Rock, Ark.; brother-in-law, David (Linda) Talley of Harrah, Okla.; nieces, Robyn Nosari (Greg) Barnes of Little Rock, Ark.; Stacey Nosari (Mike) Willard of Mountain Home, Ark.; Courtney Nosari of Little Rock, Ark.; Kelly Nosari of New York, N.Y.; and Shanna Talley (Steve) Keiffer of Harrah, Okla.; nephews, Robert (Nancy) Nosari Jr. of Pangburn, Ark.; Chris (Kelley) Nosari of Mountain Home, Ark.; and Jeff (Heather) Talley, Harrah, Okla.; and 20 great-nieces and great-nephews. Joe's greatest love was spending time with his family: Monterey Talley Nosari, his wife of 46 years; son, David Neil (Denise) Nosari of Orlando; daughter Karen Nosari (Tom) Hollern of Windermere; grandchildren Colin Matthew Nosari and Chase Johnston Nosari of Orlando and Joseph Thomas Hollern of Windermere. Joe looked forward to time spent with his extended families in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He was a life-long AR Razorback fan, and also became a strong supporter of the Florida State University Seminoles. Joe's family, colleagues, and friends loved his bright red hair, quick wit, sense of humor, and contagious laughter. From the popcorn and peanut booth at Traveler's Field in Little Rock to the College of Business and then the Office of the Provost at Florida State University, he was always at the height of his game. Joe first picked up a ball and glove at the age of four, and would become one of the outstanding baseball players of his era in Little Rock. He was an exceptional catcher, and was renowned for his superior arm and baseball savvy. He excelled as both a catcher and a pitcher on Little Rock's first team to reach the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1952. Featured in an article in the Arkansas Democrat on April 27, 1965, Joe was described by sportswriter Andy Morris as "perhaps the top player in the city during his Little League, Pony League, and American Legion days." Joe was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Arkansas, and was highly successful as a college player. Agai quoting from the article by Morris, "In his (Joe's) first college game he engineered a unique, unassisted double play without letting go of the ball." As a Razorback, he had a .343 batting average his senior year on one of the university's best teams on record. After his collegiate career, Joe went on to be a member of the U.S. Army Fort Hood, Texas baseball team, which captured the coveted Fourth Army championship in 1963. Joe had the opportunity to play professional baseball, but instead chose an academic career. Joe attended Little Rock public schools and graduated from Little Rock High School (now Central High) in 1956 at the age of 16. He entered his treasured University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he not only excelled in baseball, but also earned a B.A. in 1960 and an M.A. in 1962, both in Mathematics. Upon graduation, Joe was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, where he served on active duty as an artillery officer at Fort Hood, Texas from 1962 to 1964 in the Headquarters and Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 3rd Artillery, 2nd Armored Division, Fourth Army. During World War II, the 2nd Armored Division was dubbed "Hell on Wheels" by its commanding officer, General George S. Patton. At the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the 2nd Armored Division was airlifted to West Germany to counteract any Soviet action. Joe left active duty as a 1st Lieutenant, and was later promoted to the rank of Captain during his time in the Army Reserves. In 1965, Joe married his fellow Little Rock Hall High School teacher, Monterey Talley, in Morrilton, Ark., and they moved to Austin, Texas, where he began his studies in Economics at the University of Texas. Subsequently, Joe transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he began his master's and doctoral work in Economics under future Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall, completing his Ph.D. in Economics in the area of banking in 1972. In 1970, Joe joined the College of Business faculty at Florida State University. In the College of Business, he taught in the Department of Finance, attaining the status of full professor in 1983. He also served as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Administration. From 2004-2006, Joe served as Interim Dean. His research interests included applied economics, financial markets, and quantitative methods. He was published in a number of journals, and his contract and grant activity included work in government procurement and disparity studies. Joe's teaching was highly respected by both business and non-business majors. In 1981-1982, he was one of three recipients of the President's Award for Teaching Excellence, a student-generated award. In 2007, Joe received the Florida State University Circle of Gold Award, which "recognizes worthy individuals who, through their service and achievements, personify the University's tradition of excellence. "Not ready to retire, in 2006 Joe moved to the Provost's Office as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. His primary responsibilities were Academic Space, International Programs, and Collective Bargaining. His first assignment was to serve as the Interim Chair of the Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences in the College of Human Sciences-a far stretch from statistics and macro-economics. However, his administrative and people skills transferred readily, and were put to good use. One of his crowning achievements was his participation in the renovation of Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. His failing health forced his retirement in February 2012. For the past 41 years, Joe's church home was Saint Paul's United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Seekers Adult Sunday School Class and the Covenant Singers Choir. He served as Chair of the Finance Committee, the Staff Parish Committee (Personnel) and the Trustees, as well as directing more than one stewardship campaign. He also served on the Education Lay Team for a number of years, and, more recently, on the Children's Ministries Lay Team. Joe found his greatest joy in working with young children in Sunday School. Children in his first class are now sophomores in college. Joe's generous and compassionate nature led him to support many causes, both public and private, as well as helping a number of individuals. Joe was a kind and loving soul who lived his faith quietly. His countless good deeds would fill a number of pages. The world is a better place because Joe Nosari lived in it for 72 years. The service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, at Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, 1700 North Meridian Rd., Tallahassee, Fla. 32303. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Meridian Rd., Tallahassee, Fla. 32303; Friends of Lamar Porter Field (where Joe grew up playing baseball), c/o Jay Rogers, 10720 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72212; or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, Fla. 32308.