Official Obituary of

Dana Arnold Nottingham

February 11, 1953 ~ March 22, 2024 (age 71)

Dana Nottingham Obituary

Dana Arnold Nottingham, the son of the late Thomas Boone Nottingham and Jessie Lively Nottingham, was born on February 11, 1953, in Hampton, Virginia. A brilliant artist, athlete, and scholar, as well as an accomplished professional and author, Dana was truly a renaissance man of many talents.  Our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and friend was called home by the Lord on the morning of March 22, 2024.

The Early Years

Dana spent his formative years in Hampton and attended Kecoughtan High School on Woodland Road.  At a young age he loved to spend time playing with his siblings, Thomas and Patricia. With the support of his family, he grew to become an avid and talented tennis player at an early age.  Dana excelled academically and decided to follow in the footsteps of his parents and attend Hampton University.  He went on to become a fourth-generation graduate of Hampton (Institute) University in 1975, majoring in architecture and serving as the captain of the tennis team. He continued his educational pursuits by attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), attaining a Masters Degree in City Planning.  He then went on to have an incredible career in real estate development and urban planning.

A Powerful Professional

Dana held senior executive positions at several esteemed institutions.  He served as Vice President at the Rouse Company, Director at the Walt Disney Company, and President of Disney's America, as well as Executive Director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority.  He also founded his own company, Nottingham & Associates, focusing on developing retail, mixed-use, and entertainment projects in urban settings. He left his mark and made an impact through major urban development projects across the United States, including but not limited to, the Underground in Atlanta, the New Orleans Riverwalk, the Norfolk Waterside, Disney’s Celebration Town Center, and the Downtown Disney Strategic Plan, as well as urban revitalization projects in Baltimore and Miami. Dana received the esteemed Alumnus of the Year Award from Hampton University in honor of his professional achievements and was a shining example of brilliance and talent in the field of architecture and real estate development. A creative artist at heart, he approached every project with passion and innovation, leaving a lasting impact on the communities he served and "visioneered." Dana was not only a master of his craft but also a mentor to many, generously sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring professionals.

A Committed Father and Friend

Dana married Angela Barnes Nottingham, whom he met at our beloved Home by the Sea, and they had two daughters together, Janelle and Kara.  Janelle and Kara were the light of his life. He was always present, watching and guiding them into strong and compassionate women who are partners, mothers, and accomplished professionals in their own right. Janelle and Kara followed in the footsteps of their parents and attended Hampton University.  Janelle became a seasoned marketing executive and currently works for the Salamander Washington DC hotel in the nation's capital. Kara became a lawyer specializing in international law and currently works for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.  Dana instilled in his daughters a sense of pride, determination, strength, ethics, integrity, and creativity, which they carry with them every day.  He was not just their father, but also their best friend, always accompanying them through life with unwavering support and unconditional love.

The Later Years

In his later years, Dana became a proud grandfather, affectionately known as "Pop Pop."  He shared his birthday, February 11th, with his first granddaughter, Maya Gabrielle born in 2014, and then welcomed twin grandchildren Aila Helen and Aiden Xavier in 2022.  His grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he spent his time constantly creating art projects, building play cities, and transmitting all of his genius and creativity on to them.  In his later years, Dana continued creating, and turned his professional pursuits to developing leadership training initiatives.  He wrote several books and gave workshops around the country, including at Hampton University, to empower youth to lead, lift, soar, and to achieve their professional dreams.  In his later years, Dana moved home again to Hampton, his final resting place.  Dana found solace and tranquility sitting near the water at Fort Monroe, a place that held special meaning to him as it was the location where the first slave ships carrying his ancestors docked, as well as the sacred place he used to spend time with his mother.  Later in life he also found companionship and love with his partner, Marva Sanders, with whom he shared a home in Hampton. Together they enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.

A Legacy That Will Live on Forever

Dana will be remembered for his unwavering love of the Lord and his family, his boundless creativity, and his profound impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched and in the timeless beauty of the structures he helped create.  He is survived by his daughters, Janelle Nottingham Burt (and Brian Burt) and Kara Devonne Nottingham (and Adlai Kerr), as well as their mother Angela Nottingham; his grandchildren Maya Gabrielle Burt, Aila Helen Nottingham Kerr, and Aiden Xavier Nottingham Kerr; his partner Marva Sanders; his nieces, nephews, and cousins who he loved dearly – Marniee Nottingham, Danielle Nottingham, Fallon Bates, Terrence Junior Bates, Tristan Bates, Trai Bates, Thena Robinson Mock (and Brenton Mock), Emory Mock, Jaime Dzandu,  Deborah Stafford, Keisha Stewart (and Mark Stewart), Korey Stewart, Kortni Stafford, Qiana Whitted (and Kenneth Whitted), Naima Whitted, Kenneth Whitted Jr., Edward Nottingham, Roxanne Nottingham, Edward Nottingham III, and Joseph Nottingham; his sister-in-law Jena Nottingham, and sister Patricia Nottingham Dzandu, as well as a host of other family and friends who love him and will miss him dearly. 

May you rest in eternal peace. Well done, Pop Pop. We love you. 

Information Regarding Services

Monday 1 April 2024

11:00 am Memorial Service

Third Baptist Church

1214 Victoria Boulevard

Hampton, Virginia 23661