John Richard Nottingham

John R. Nottingham, 95, of Waco, Texas, died in his home on June 16, 2026.

John was born on December 29, 1930 in Mart, Texas to Edward Lee and Hilda Nottingham. After graduating from Waco High School, John met the love of his life, Bobbie Laughlin. He was drafted into service in July of 1951, and on August 14, 1951 he and Bobbie were married. John was an Army medic in the Korean War, and served in the reserves for a handful of years after returning home. During that time, he graduated from Baylor University, thanks to hard work and the G.I. Bill.

John and Bobbie eventually settled in Woodway where they would raise their three children, Barry, Jeff, and Lisa. John was an avid sports fan and took great pride in watching and coaching his kids’ teams throughout the years. He was a master mechanic, craftsman, and welder. At family gatherings, you could find John looking on as his grandkids played on the trampoline out back or shot baskets on the hoop in the driveway. He constructed both, and they stood for nearly sixty years.

Bobbie and John were active members of First Baptist Church of Woodway and before that, Beverly Hills Baptist Church; John was also active in the Waco Lions Club. He worked as an accountant for Barnes Lumber Company for many years, Alamo Steel and finally, the Salvation Army in Waco.

He believed in hard work and helping others. He was happiest being outside, fixing something or feeding his cows. In his later years, astonishingly, you could find him in the yard working up a sweat with his chainsaw, splitting logs or doing pushups on his countertop.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie; his father and mother; his brothers, Andrew and Lonnie Roy; and his son, Barry Nottingham.

His family would like to thank the kind people of George’s Cafe on Hewitt Drive for serving him breakfast almost daily in recent years.

The family has requested a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to the American Red Cross.