Naples resident, pest control mogul Truly Nolen dead at 89

NAPLES, Fla. The man behind the oddly decorated pest control cars has died.

Naples resident Truly David Nolen, 89, who founded Truly Nolen of America and launched a fleet of yellow Volkswagen “mouse” cars on roadways around the world, passed away Tuesday, the company said.

The cause of death is unknown, but the company said he died peacefully.

Nolen built Arizona-based Truly Nolen International into an enterprise that does business in 63 countries. Truly Nolen’s domestic operations are based in Orlando under the name Truly Nolen of America.

Much of Nolen’s life was memorialized in his 2005 autobiography, titled “Truly Original.”

His rules to live by were, “Find humor in everything, even adversity. Stay positive and persistent to the extreme. Work hard, play hard. Do what you want to, not just to make money. Don’t be afraid to be different – take a chance!”

He is survived by his wife Vickie Taylor Nolen, eight children, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grand children.

A private service will be held Friday at Temple Shalom in Naples.